Communication method and communication device

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and a communication device. The method is applied to a first device, and comprises: receiving first signaling, which is used for indicating a first threshold value; detecting a first signal; and on the basis of the first threshold value and the first signal, determining whether to transmit a second signal, wherein the second signal is a backscattering signal based on the first signal. In the method, a first device may be used as a sending end in a backscattering communication scenario. The method can increase the success rate of backscattering communication performed by the sending end, avoid or reduce the problem of unnecessary energy consumption of the sending end, and reduce system interference, thereby improving the communication efficiency of backscattering communication.

Description

Communication method and communication device

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on February 2, 2024, with application number 202410156995.4 and application name "A Communication Method and Communication Equipment", the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and communication equipment. Background Art

[0004] In the communication technology based on backscattering, the Internet of Things (IoT) device can obtain energy from the excitation signal from the peripheral devices (such as base stations (BS), terminal devices, etc.) to complete data modulation and actively send the backscatter signal to the receiving end (Reader). Specifically, the peripheral device can serve as the excitation end and the IoT device can serve as the sending end. The peripheral device can transmit the excitation signal to the IoT device, and the IoT device can modulate the information to be sent onto the detected excitation signal to obtain the backscatter signal and send it. The receiving end can demodulate the detected backscatter signal to achieve information transmission. Among them, the excitation end and the receiving end can be the same device or different devices. Currently, in the communication process implemented based on the above method, there is a situation where the backscatter signal sent by the sending end to the receiving end cannot be successfully received by the receiving end, which not only wastes the energy of the sending end, but also causes system interference and affects the efficiency of backscatter communication. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and a communication device for improving the success rate of backscatter communication, avoiding or reducing the problem of energy consumption at the transmitting end in backscatter communication scenarios, reducing system interference, and thereby improving the efficiency of backscatter communication.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which is applied to a first device. That is, the method can be executed by the first device or by a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) within the first device. The method includes: receiving first signaling indicating a first threshold; detecting a first signal; and determining whether to transmit a second signal based on the first threshold and the first signal; wherein the second signal is a backscattered signal based on the first signal.

[0007] In this method, the first signal can be used by the first device to transmit the second signal, namely the backscattered signal, and the first threshold can serve as a reference threshold for the first device to determine whether to transmit the second signal, namely the backscattered signal. The first device determines whether to ultimately transmit the second signal based on the first signal and the first threshold. This enables the first device to transmit the backscattered signal in appropriate scenarios as much as possible, thereby ensuring the necessity and success rate of backscattered signal transmission as much as possible, avoiding or reducing wasted energy by the first device, and reducing unnecessary interference in the channel, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0008] In one possible design, the determination of whether to transmit the second signal based on the first threshold and the first signal includes at least one of the following: when the sum of the detected signal strength of the first signal and half of the power parameter of the first device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, determining to transmit the second signal; when the detected signal strength of the first signal is greater than or equal to the first threshold, determining to transmit the second signal; when the sum of the detected signal strength of the first signal and half of the power parameter of the first device is less than the first threshold, determining not to transmit the second signal; when the detected signal strength of the first signal is less than the first threshold, determining not to transmit the second signal; when the sum of the detected signal strength of the first signal, the product of the sum of the detected signal strength of the first signal and the power loss parameter of the first device and the power amplification parameter of the first device, and the first set value is greater than or equal to the first threshold, determining to transmit the second signal; when the detected When the signal strength of the first signal, the sum of the detected signal strength of the first signal and the product of the power loss parameter of the first device and the power amplification parameter of the first device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it is determined that the second signal is transmitted; when the sum of the detected signal strength of the first signal, the product of the detected signal strength of the first signal and the power loss parameter of the first device and the power amplification parameter of the first device, and the first set value is less than the first threshold, it is determined not to transmit the second signal; when the sum of the detected signal strength of the first signal, the product of the detected signal strength of the first signal and the power loss parameter of the first device and the power amplification parameter of the first device is less than the first threshold, it is determined not to transmit the second signal; when the path loss of transmitting the second signal is less than or equal to the first threshold, it is determined that the second signal is transmitted; when the path loss of transmitting the second signal is greater than the first threshold, it is determined not to transmit the second signal.

[0009] In this method, as an optional implementation, the sum of the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device and half of the power parameter of the first device can be used as the power value that the first device can provide for transmitting the backscattered signal. Alternatively, the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device can be used as the power value that the first device can provide for transmitting the backscattered signal. Alternatively, the sum of the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device, the product of the sum of the detected signal strength of the first signal and the power loss parameter of the first device, the power amplification parameter of the first device, and a first set value can be used as the power value that the first device can provide for transmitting the backscattered signal. The first threshold can be the power value required for the first device to transmit the backscattered signal, or can be the lower limit of the power value required for the first device to transmit the backscattered signal. The first device can determine whether it is necessary to transmit the backscattered signal by comparing the power value that it can provide for transmitting the backscattered signal with the first threshold. Specifically, when the power value that the first device can provide for transmitting the backscattered signal is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it indicates that the first device can successfully transmit the backscattered signal, i.e., it can ensure that the backscattered signal transmitted by the first device can be successfully received by the receiving end. Therefore, it is necessary and possible for the first device to transmit a backscatter signal, thereby improving the success rate and communication efficiency of backscatter communication. When the power value that the first device can provide for transmitting the backscatter signal is less than the first threshold, it indicates that the first device has difficulty successfully transmitting the backscatter signal, that is, it cannot guarantee that the backscatter signal transmitted by the first device can be successfully received by the receiving end. Therefore, the first device may not transmit the backscatter signal, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption on the first device side and reducing unnecessary interference in the channel. As another optional embodiment, the first threshold can serve as the path loss requirement for the first device to transmit the backscatter signal. The path loss of the second signal transmitted by the first device can serve as the actual path loss of the backscatter signal transmitted by the first device. By comparing the actual path loss of the backscatter signal transmitted with the first threshold, the first device can determine whether it is necessary to transmit the backscatter signal. Specifically, when the actual path loss of the backscatter signal transmitted by the first device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it indicates that the first device can successfully transmit the backscatter signal, that is, it can guarantee that the backscatter signal transmitted by the first device can be successfully received by the receiving end. Therefore, it is necessary and possible for the first device to transmit the backscatter signal, thereby improving the success rate and communication efficiency of backscatter communication. When the actual path loss of the backscatter signal transmitted by the first device is less than the first threshold, it indicates that the first device has difficulty in successfully transmitting the backscatter signal, that is, it cannot be guaranteed that the backscatter signal transmitted by the first device can be successfully received by the receiving end.Therefore, the first device may not transmit the backscatter signal, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption on the first device side and reducing unnecessary interference in the channel.

[0010] In one possible design, the first signal is a signal on a first path; and transmitting the second signal includes: transmitting the second signal on the first path; or transmitting the second signal on a second path.

[0011] In this method, the device that transmits the first signal is the excitation end, and the device that detects the second signal is the receiving end. Based on this method, the first device can transmit the second signal on a path that is the same as or different from the path on which the first signal is received. Among them, the scenario in which the first device transmits the second signal on the same path (i.e., the first path) as the path on which the first signal is received (i.e., the first path) is a scenario in which the excitation end and the receiving end share the same site. The scenario in which the first device transmits the second signal on a path (i.e., the second path) different from the path on which the first signal is received (i.e., the first path) is a scenario in which the excitation end and the receiving end have different sites. Therefore, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to scenarios in which the excitation end and the receiving end share the same site or have different sites.

[0012] In one possible design, the first signaling includes: the first threshold, or a first threshold range; wherein the first threshold range is used to determine the first threshold.

[0013] In this method, the first device can directly obtain the first threshold indicated by the first signaling, or can determine the first threshold based on the first threshold range indicated by the first signaling, which provides greater flexibility. Specifically, in the method in which the first device directly obtains the first threshold indicated by the first signaling, the processing efficiency of the first device is greater. The method in which the first device determines the first threshold based on the first threshold range indicated by the first signaling helps improve the processing efficiency of the transmitter (or indicator) of the first threshold (or first threshold range).

[0014] In one possible design, the method also includes: receiving second signaling, where the second signaling is used to indicate a first power loss parameter range, and the first power loss parameter range is used to determine the first threshold.

[0015] In this method, the first power loss parameter range may correspond to the first threshold range. The first device may determine the first threshold based on the first power parameter range, the correspondence between the first power loss parameter range and the first threshold range, and the first threshold range, to ensure that the first device can obtain the first threshold.

[0016] In one possible design, the difference between the power loss parameter of the first device and the lower limit of the first power loss parameter range is equal to the difference between the first threshold and the lower limit of the first threshold range; and / or the difference between the upper limit of the first power loss parameter range and the power loss parameter of the first device is equal to the difference between the upper limit of the first threshold range and the first threshold. In this method, the first device can calculate the first threshold by itself in different ways, which provides high flexibility.

[0017] In one possible design, before receiving the first signaling, the method also includes: sending a third signaling, where the third signaling is used to indicate a power loss parameter of the first device.

[0018] In this method, the first device transmits a third signaling message indicating the power loss parameter of the first device, enabling the receiving end of the third signaling message to determine a first threshold value based on the power loss parameter of the first device and transmit the first signaling message indicating the first threshold value. This enables the first device to obtain the first threshold value and determine whether to transmit a backscatter signal based on the first threshold value.

[0019] In one possible design, the method further includes: storing energy when it is determined not to transmit the second signal.

[0020] In this method, when it is determined not to transmit the second signal, the first device can accumulate energy for subsequent transmission of backscattered signals by performing energy storage, which helps to improve the success rate of subsequent backscattered signal transmission.

[0021] In a possible design, the first signal is an excitation signal.

[0022] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which is applied to a second device, that is, the method can be executed by the second device or by a component (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system) in the second device. The method includes: sending first signaling, where the first signaling is used to indicate a first threshold, where the first threshold is used by the first device to determine whether to transmit a second signal, where the second signal is a backscattered signal based on the first signal detected by the first device.

[0023] In this method, the first threshold value can serve as a reference threshold value for the first device to determine whether to transmit the second signal, i.e., the backscattered signal. By sending a first signaling instruction indicating the first threshold value, the second device can enable the first device to obtain the first threshold value, thereby enabling the first device to determine whether to ultimately transmit the second signal based on the detected first signal and the first threshold value. This allows the first device to transmit the backscattered signal in appropriate scenarios as much as possible, thereby ensuring the necessity and success rate of backscattered signal transmission as much as possible, avoiding or reducing energy consumption by the first device, and reducing unnecessary interference in the channel, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0024] In one possible design, the method also includes: transmitting the first signal on the first path; determining the first threshold based on the power of transmitting the first signal, detecting the target power of the second signal, and the power parameters of the first device; or, determining the first threshold based on the power of transmitting the first signal and detecting the target power of the second signal.

[0025] Optionally, the second signal is a signal on the first path.

[0026] In the above method, as an optional implementation, the second device can determine the first threshold based on its own backscatter communication-related parameters (i.e., the power of transmitting the first signal and the target power of detecting the second signal) and the backscatter communication-related parameters of the first device (i.e., the power loss parameter of the first device). This allows the first device to directly use the signal strength of the detected first signal as the power provided by the first device for transmitting the backscatter signal, which can improve the processing efficiency on the first device side. As another optional implementation, the second device can determine the first threshold based on its own backscatter communication-related parameters without obtaining relevant parameters from other devices, so the processing efficiency on the second device side is higher. In the above method, the first signal and the second signal are signals on the same path (i.e., the first path), so the above method can be applied to scenarios where the excitation end and the receiving end are co-located.

[0027] In one possible design, the first threshold is determined based on the power of transmitting the first signal, the target power of detecting the second signal, and the power parameter of the first device, including: taking half of the difference between the sum of the power of transmitting the first signal and the target power of detecting the second signal and the power parameter of the first device as the first threshold; or, taking the ratio of the first value to the second value as the first threshold; wherein the first value is the sum of the power of transmitting the first signal and the target power of detecting the second signal, and the difference between it and a third value, the third value is the product of the power loss parameter of the first device and the power amplification parameter of the first device, and the second value is the sum of the power amplification parameter of the first device and 1; or, taking the ratio of the first value to the second value as the first threshold; wherein the first value is the sum of the power of transmitting the first signal and the target power of detecting the second signal, and the difference between it and the third value and the first set value, the third value is the product of the power loss parameter of the first device and the power amplification parameter of the first device, and the second value is the sum of the power amplification parameter of the first device and 1.

[0028] The above method can be applied to a scenario in which the first device uses the signal strength of the detected first signal as the power provided by the first device for transmitting the backscattered signal. In the above method, the power parameter of the first device may include the power amplification parameter and / or power loss parameter of the first device. Among them, in the first method for determining the first threshold described in the above method, when the power parameter of the first device includes the power amplification parameter of the first device, the power amplification parameter of the first device can be used to indicate the superimposable power provided by the first device. In the second method for determining the first threshold described in the above method, when the power parameter of the first device includes the power amplification parameter of the first device, the power amplification parameter of the first device can be used to indicate the extent to which the first device can amplify the power. Based on the above method, the second device can accurately calculate the first threshold in different ways in different scenarios.

[0029] In one possible design, the first threshold is determined based on the power of transmitting the first signal and the target power of detecting the second signal, including: using half of the sum of the power of transmitting the first signal and the target power of detecting the second signal as the first threshold; or using the sum of the power of transmitting the first signal and the target power of detecting the second signal as the first threshold.

[0030] The above method can be applied to a scenario where the first device calculates the power provided by the first device for transmitting a backscattered signal based on multiple parameters. The second device can accurately calculate the first threshold using different methods in different scenarios.

[0031] In one possible design, the method also includes: determining the power of transmitting the first signal, the power parameters of the first device, and the path loss of the first signal; and determining the first threshold based on the power of transmitting the first signal, detecting the target power of the second signal, the power parameters of the first device, and the path loss of the first signal.

[0032] Optionally, the first signal is a signal on a first path, and the second signal is a signal on a second path.

[0033] In the above method, the second device can more accurately determine the first threshold used as the path loss requirement based on the acquired backscatter communication-related parameters. In the above method, the first signal and the second signal are signals on different paths. Therefore, the above method can be applied to scenarios where the excitation end and the receiving end are located at different sites.

[0034] In one possible design, the first threshold is determined based on the power of transmitting the first signal, the target power of detecting the second signal, the power parameter of the first device and the path loss of the first signal, including: taking the sum of the power of transmitting the first signal and the power parameter of the first device, and the difference between the target power of detecting the second signal and the path loss of the first signal as the first threshold; or, taking the product of the fourth value and the power amplification parameter of the first device and the sum of the first set value and the target power of detecting the second signal as the first threshold; wherein the fourth value is the sum of the power of transmitting the first signal and the power loss parameter of the first device, and the difference between the path loss of the first signal; or, taking the product of the fourth value and the power amplification parameter of the first device, and the difference between the target power of detecting the second signal as the first threshold; wherein the fourth value is the sum of the power of transmitting the first signal and the power loss parameter of the first device, and the difference between the path loss of the first signal.

[0035] In the above method, the power parameter of the first device may include the power amplification parameter and / or power loss parameter of the first device. Among them, in the first method for determining the first threshold value described in the above method, when the power parameter of the first device includes the power amplification parameter of the first device, the power amplification parameter of the first device can be used to indicate the superimposable power provided by the first device. In the second method for determining the first threshold value described in the above method, when the power parameter of the first device includes the power amplification parameter of the first device, the power amplification parameter of the first device can be used to indicate the extent to which the first device can amplify power. Based on the above method, the first device can accurately calculate the first threshold value in different ways in different scenarios.

[0036] In one possible design, determining the path loss of the first signal includes: determining that the path loss of the first signal is a set value; or receiving a fifth signaling, where the fifth signaling is used to indicate the path loss of the first signal.

[0037] In this method, the second device can obtain the path loss of the first signal in different ways, which is highly flexible and practical.

[0038] In a possible design, the distance of the first path is less than or equal to a set distance.

[0039] In this method, the first path is the path between the excitation end and the transmitting end. The method for determining the first threshold used as the path loss requirement provided by the above method can be preferably applied to scenarios where the first path is small, that is, scenarios where the excitation end and the transmitting end are close.

[0040] In one possible design, the first signaling includes: the first threshold, or the first threshold range to which the first threshold belongs; wherein the first threshold range is used to determine the first threshold.

[0041] In this method, the second device can directly indicate the first threshold value through the first signaling, or can indicate the first threshold range used to determine the first threshold value through the first signaling, which has high flexibility. Among them, in the method in which the second device directly indicates the first threshold value through the first signaling, the second device needs to determine and indicate the first threshold values ​​corresponding to different devices respectively for different devices, so the processing efficiency is low. In the method in which the first device indicates the first threshold range used to determine the first threshold value based on the first signaling, the second device can centrally calculate multiple different values ​​of the first threshold value (i.e., values ​​within the first threshold range), which helps to improve processing efficiency.

[0042] In one possible design, the method further includes: sending a second signaling, where the second signaling is used to indicate a first power loss parameter range, where the first power loss parameter range is used to determine the first threshold.

[0043] In this method, the first power loss parameter range may correspond to the first threshold range. The second device indicates the first power loss parameter range using second signaling, so that a receiving end of the second signaling can determine the first threshold based on the first power parameter range, the correspondence between the first power loss parameter range and the first threshold range, and the first threshold range.

[0044] In one possible design, the difference between the power loss parameter of the first device and the lower limit value of the first power loss parameter range is equal to the difference between the first threshold value and the lower limit value of the first threshold value range; and / or, the difference between the upper limit value of the first power loss parameter range and the power loss parameter of the first device is equal to the difference between the upper limit value of the first threshold value range and the first threshold.

[0045] In this method, there are multiple ways to calculate the first threshold based on the first power loss parameter range and the first threshold range, and the method has high flexibility.

[0046] In a possible design, the first signal is an excitation signal.

[0047] In a third aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which is applied to a first device. That is, the method can be executed by the first device or by a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) within the first device. The method includes: receiving first signaling indicating a first target power value; detecting a first signal; and determining whether to transmit a second signal based on the first target power value and the first signal; wherein the second signal is a backscattered signal based on the first signal.

[0048] In this method, the first signal can be used by the first device to transmit the second signal, i.e., the backscattered signal, and the first target power value is the power (or signal strength) that the receiving end of the second signal expects to detect the second signal. The first target power value can be used as reference data for the first device to determine whether to transmit the second signal, i.e., the backscattered signal. The first device determines whether to ultimately transmit the second signal based on the first signal and the first target power value, which enables the first device to transmit the backscattered signal in an appropriate scenario as much as possible, thereby ensuring the necessity and success rate of transmitting the backscattered signal as much as possible, avoiding or reducing the energy consumed by the first device, and reducing unnecessary interference in the channel, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0049] In one possible design, the determining whether to transmit the second signal based on the first target power value and the first signal includes: determining the target transmission power of the second signal based on the first target power value; determining the power for transmitting the second signal based on the first signal; and determining whether to transmit the second signal based on the target transmission power of the second signal and the power for transmitting the second signal.

[0050] In this method, the target transmission power of the second signal can be used as the power required by the first device to transmit the backscatter signal, or can be used as the lower limit of the power required by the first device to transmit the backscatter signal. The power for transmitting the second signal can be used as the power provided by the first device for transmitting the backscatter signal. The first device can determine whether the power provided by itself is sufficient for transmitting the backscatter signal by comparing whether the power used by itself to transmit the backscatter signal meets the power requirement for transmitting the backscatter signal, and then determine whether to transmit the backscatter signal. This method can ensure the necessity and success rate of the first device transmitting the backscatter signal, avoid or reduce unnecessary power consumption on the first device side, reduce unnecessary interference in the channel, and thus improve the efficiency of backscatter communication.

[0051] In one possible design, the determination of whether to transmit the second signal is based on the target transmission power of the second signal and the power of transmitting the second signal, including: when the power of transmitting the second signal is greater than or equal to the target transmission power of the second signal, determining to transmit the second signal; and / or, when the power of transmitting the second signal is less than the target transmission power of the second signal, determining not to transmit the second signal.

[0052] In this method, when the power used by the first device to transmit a backscatter signal is greater than or equal to the power required to transmit the backscatter signal, the first device can determine that the power provided by itself is sufficient to transmit the backscatter signal. Therefore, the first device needs to and can transmit the backscatter signal, thereby improving the success rate and communication efficiency of backscatter communication. When the power used by the first device to transmit a backscatter signal is less than the power required to transmit the backscatter signal, the first device can determine that the power provided by itself is insufficient to successfully transmit the backscatter signal. Therefore, the first device may not transmit the backscatter signal, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption on the first device side and reducing unnecessary interference in the channel.

[0053] In one possible design, the first signal is a signal on a first path; and transmitting the second signal includes: transmitting the second signal on the first path; or transmitting the second signal on a second path.

[0054] In this method, the device that transmits the first signal is the excitation end, and the device that detects the second signal is the receiving end. Based on this method, the first device can transmit the second signal on a path that is the same as or different from the path on which the first signal is received. Among them, the scenario in which the first device transmits the second signal on the same path (i.e., the first path) as the path on which the first signal is received (i.e., the first path) is a scenario in which the excitation end and the receiving end share the same site. The scenario in which the first device transmits the second signal on a path (i.e., the second path) different from the path on which the first signal is received (i.e., the first path) is a scenario in which the excitation end and the receiving end have different sites. Therefore, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to scenarios in which the excitation end and the receiving end share the same site or have different sites.

[0055] In one possible design, the target transmission power of the second signal is determined based on the first target power value, including: determining the path loss for transmitting the second signal; determining a candidate target transmission power value of the second signal based on the first target power and the path loss for transmitting the second signal; using the candidate target transmission power value of the second signal as the target transmission power of the second signal; or, using the minimum value between the candidate target transmission power value of the second signal and the set power value as the target transmission power of the second signal.

[0056] In the above method, the candidate value of the target transmission power of the second signal is the power value actually required by the second device when transmitting the second signal, and the second device can accurately calculate the value. As an optional implementation, the second device can directly use this value as the target transmission power of the second signal, which can ensure the accuracy of determining whether to transmit the second signal based on the target transmission power of the second signal. As another optional implementation, the second device can use the minimum value between this value and the set power value as the target transmission power of the second signal, which can limit the power required to transmit the second signal to within the set range, thereby avoiding the problem of excessive energy consumption caused by transmitting the reflected signal when the power range required to transmit the second signal is too large.

[0057] In one possible design, determining the path loss for transmitting the second signal includes determining the path loss for transmitting the second signal based on the transmission power of the first signal and the detected signal strength of the first signal.

[0058] This method can be applied in scenarios where the excitation end and the receiving end are co-located. In this scenario, the first signal and the second signal have the same transmission path (both are the first path). Therefore, the first device can determine the path loss for transmitting the first signal based on the transmission power of the first signal and the detected signal strength of the first signal, and use the path loss for transmitting the first signal as the path loss for transmitting the second signal. Based on this method, the first device can quickly and easily determine the path loss for transmitting the second signal.

[0059] In one possible design, before determining the path loss for transmitting the second signal, the method further includes: receiving second signaling, where the second signaling is used to indicate the transmission power of the first signal.

[0060] Based on this method, the first device can obtain the transmission power of the first signal, and then determine the path loss for transmitting the second signal based on the transmission power of the first signal.

[0061] In one possible design, determining the power of transmitting the second signal based on the first signal includes: determining the power of transmitting the second signal based on the detected signal strength of the first signal and a power parameter of the first device.

[0062] The power of transmitting the second signal is determined based on the detected signal strength of the first signal and the power parameter of the first device, including: using the sum of the detected signal strength of the first signal and the power parameter of the first device as the power of transmitting the second signal; or, using the product of the sum of the detected signal strength of the first signal and the power loss parameter of the first device and the power amplification parameter of the first device as the power of transmitting the second signal; or, using the sum of the detected signal strength of the first signal and the power loss parameter of the first device and the product of the power amplification parameter of the first device and a first set value as the power of transmitting the second signal.

[0063] In the first method for determining the power of transmitting the second signal described in the above method, when the power parameter of the first device includes the power amplification parameter of the first device, the power amplification parameter of the first device can be used to indicate the superimposable power provided by the first device. In the second method for determining the power of transmitting the second signal described in the above method, when the power parameter of the first device includes the power amplification parameter of the first device, the power amplification parameter of the first device can be used to indicate the extent to which the first device can amplify the power. Based on the above method, the first device can accurately calculate the power of transmitting the second signal in different scenarios using different methods. For example, the first device can select a corresponding method to calculate the power of transmitting the second signal based on the specific meaning of the power amplification parameter of the first device.

[0064] In one possible design, the first signaling includes any one of the following items: the first target power value; the ratio of the first target power value to the first set power value; the power level corresponding to the first target power value; wherein different power levels correspond to different power values.

[0065] Optionally, when the first signaling includes the ratio, the first target power value is determined based on the ratio and the first set power value; when the first signaling includes the power level, the first target power value is determined based on the power level.

[0066] In the above method, the first device can obtain the first target power value in different ways, which is highly flexible and practical.

[0067] In one possible design, the first target power value corresponds to a first distance range, and the distance over which the second signal is to be transmitted belongs to the first distance range.

[0068] In this method, the distance over which the second signal is to be transmitted is the distance between the transmitting end and the receiving end. The first target power value corresponds to the first distance range to which the distance belongs. This enables the target transmission power of the second signal determined by the first device based on the first target power value to be closer to the power actually required by the first device to transmit the second signal. This improves the accuracy of determining whether to transmit the second signal based on the target transmission power of the second signal and reduces energy waste on the first device.

[0069] In one possible design, the method further includes: storing energy when it is determined not to transmit the second signal.

[0070] In this method, when it is determined not to transmit the second signal, the first device can accumulate energy for subsequent transmission of backscattered signals by performing energy storage, which helps to improve the success rate of subsequent backscattered signal transmission.

[0071] In a possible design, the first signal is an excitation signal.

[0072] In a fourth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which is applied to a second device side, that is, the method can be executed by the second device or by a component in the second device (such as a processor, chip, or chip system). The method includes: sending a first signaling, the first signaling including a first target power value, the first target power value being used by the first device to determine whether to transmit a second signal, the second signal being a backscattered signal based on the first signal detected by the first device.

[0073] In this method, the first target power value is the power (or signal strength) that the second device expects to detect the second signal. The second device can enable the first device to obtain the first target power value by sending a first signaling to indicate the first target power value, thereby enabling the first device to determine whether to transmit the second signal, i.e., the backscattered signal, based on the first target power value and the detected first signal. Therefore, this method helps the first device to transmit the backscattered signal in a suitable scenario as much as possible, thereby ensuring the necessity and success rate of transmitting the backscattered signal as much as possible, avoiding or reducing the energy consumed by the first device, and reducing unnecessary interference in the channel, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0074] In one possible design, the method further includes: transmitting the first signal on a first path. The second signal is a signal on the first path.

[0075] In the above method, the first signal and the second signal are signals on the same path, so the above method can be applied to a scenario where the excitation end and the receiving end are co-located.

[0076] In one possible design, after transmitting the first signal on the first path, the method further includes: when a set time is reached and the second signal is not detected, transmitting a third signal on the first path, the third signal being an excitation signal; wherein the power of transmitting the third signal is greater than the power of transmitting the first signal.

[0077] In this method, after the second device transmits a first signal (excitation signal) along the first path, if a set time has passed and no second signal (backscattered signal) is detected, this indicates that the first device is unable to transmit a backscattered signal that can be successfully received by the second device based on the signal strength of the detected first signal. Therefore, the second device transmits a third signal (excitation signal) at an increased power. This excitation signal provides the first device with more power for backscattered signal transmission, thereby improving the first device's success rate in transmitting backscattered signals.

[0078] In one possible design, the power level corresponding to the power of transmitting the third signal is different from the power level corresponding to the power of transmitting the first signal. Based on this method, the second device can determine the power of transmitting the excitation signal according to the level.

[0079] In one possible design, the method further includes: sending second signaling, where the second signaling is used to indicate the power of transmitting the first signal, and the power of transmitting the first signal is used by the first device to determine whether to transmit the second signal.

[0080] In this method, the second device instructs the second device to transmit the first signal with a power value through the second signaling, so that the first device can obtain the power value and then determine whether to transmit the backscattered signal based on the power value.

[0081] In one possible design, the first signal is a signal on a first path, and the second signal is a signal on a second path. In the above method, the first signal and the second signal are signals on different paths, so the above method can be applied to scenarios where the excitation end and the receiving end are at different sites.

[0082] In one possible design, the first signaling includes any of the following: the first target power value; a ratio of the first target power value to the first set power value; a power level corresponding to the first target power value; wherein different power levels correspond to different power values. Based on this method, the second device can indicate the first target power value in different ways, which is more flexible and practical.

[0083] In one possible design, the first target power value corresponds to a first distance range, and the distance over which the second signal is to be transmitted belongs to the first distance range.

[0084] In this method, the distance over which the second signal is to be transmitted is the distance between the transmitting end and the receiving end. The first target power value indicated by the second device via the first signaling corresponds to the first distance range to which the distance belongs. This enables the first device, having obtained the first target power value, to determine a target transmission power for the second signal based on the first target power value, closer to the power actually required by the first device to transmit the second signal. This improves the accuracy of the first device's determination of whether to transmit the second signal based on the target transmission power of the second signal, thereby reducing energy waste on the first device.

[0085] In a possible design, the first signal is an excitation signal.

[0086] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising: a module for executing the above-mentioned first aspect or any one of the methods in the first aspect, or a module for executing the above-mentioned second aspect or any one of the methods in the second aspect, or a module for executing the above-mentioned third aspect or any one of the methods in the third aspect, or a module for executing the above-mentioned fourth aspect or any one of the methods in the fourth aspect.

[0087] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising: at least one processor; the at least one processor is configured to enable the communication device to execute the above-mentioned first aspect or any one of the methods in the first aspect, or execute the above-mentioned second aspect or any one of the methods in the second aspect, or execute the above-mentioned third aspect or any one of the methods in the third aspect, or execute the above-mentioned fourth aspect or any one of the methods in the fourth aspect.

[0088] In one possible design, the at least one processor is configured to execute instructions stored in a memory. The memory may be included in the communication device or may be located outside the communication device.

[0089] In one possible design, the communication device further includes a communication interface; the communication interface is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device.

[0090] In one possible design, the communication device further includes a transceiver, and the at least one processor is used to control the transceiver to receive and transmit signals. The transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter, the receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals.

[0091] The communication device in the fifth and sixth aspects may be the first device or the second device, or a component in the first or second device (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system). The communication device may be a device or apparatus with a chip, or a device or apparatus with an integrated circuit, or a chip, chip system, module, or control unit in the terminal device or communication device shown above, and this application does not limit this.

[0092] In the seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the above-mentioned first aspect or any one of the methods in the first aspect, or executes the above-mentioned second aspect or any one of the methods in the second aspect, or executes the above-mentioned third aspect or any one of the methods in the third aspect, or executes the above-mentioned fourth aspect or any one of the methods in the fourth aspect.

[0093] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed by a communication device, it implements the above-mentioned first aspect or any method in the first aspect, or implements the above-mentioned second aspect or any method in the second aspect, or implements the above-mentioned third aspect or any method in the third aspect, or implements the above-mentioned fourth aspect or any method in the fourth aspect.

[0094] The technical effects that can be achieved in any of the fifth to eighth aspects mentioned above can refer to the description of the beneficial effects in any of the first to fourth aspects mentioned above, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0095] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a backscatter communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0096] FIG2a is a schematic diagram of the topological structure of a first communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0097] FIG2b is a schematic diagram of the topology structure of a second communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0098] FIG2c is a schematic diagram of the topology structure of a third communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0099] FIG2d is a schematic diagram of the topological structure of a fourth communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0100] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a first communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0101] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a communication system in an IoT scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0102] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a second communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0103] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a communication system in another IoT scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0104] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a third communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0105] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a fourth communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0106] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0107] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0108] The following is a detailed description of the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The method and the device are based on the same technical concept. Since the method and the device solve the problem in a similar manner, the implementation of the device and the method can refer to each other, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0109] Below, some terms in this application are explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0110] 1) Terminal equipment: A user-side entity that receives or transmits signals and has wireless transceiver capabilities. Optionally, terminal equipment includes devices that provide data connectivity to users. Terminal equipment can also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), or mobile terminal (MT).

[0111] For example, the terminal device may be a handheld device with wireless connection function or a processing device connected to a wireless modem. The terminal device may exchange voice and / or data with a network device such as a radio access network (RAN). The terminal device may include a V2X terminal device, a wireless terminal device, a mobile terminal device, a device-to-device communication (D2D) terminal device, a machine-to-machine / machine-type communication (M2M / MTC) terminal device, an IoT device, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, an industrial control device, a self-driving device, a remote medical device, a smart grid device, a smart home device, a smart office device, a smart transportation device, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a vehicle, a helicopter, an airplane, a ship, a robotic arm, a drone, a robot, an access point (AP), a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user agent, or a user device, a wearable device, an in-vehicle device or a customer premises (CPE) equipment, etc. Optionally, the user premises device may also be referred to as a client device. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the device form of the terminal device.

[0112] Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearable, smart transportation, smart city, etc.

[0113] 2) Access network equipment: This is a network-side entity used to transmit and / or receive signals. It can be used as a device in a communication system to connect terminal devices to a wireless network. This access network equipment, as a node in a radio access network, can also be called a base station, a radio access network (RAN) device, or a radio access network node.

[0114] Exemplarily, the access network equipment includes but is not limited to a base station (base transceiver station (BTS), Node B, evolved Node B (eNodeB / eNB), gNodeB / gNB, transmission reception point (TRP), a base station subsequently evolved by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a radio network controller (RNC), an access point (AP), a base station controller (BSC), a home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), or a base band unit (BBU), a wireless fidelity (wireless The base station may be an access node, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, etc. in a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system. The base station may be: a macro base station, a micro base station, a pico base station, a small station, a relay station, etc. or any other wireless access device, or a base station in the next generation of communications, etc. Multiple base stations may support networks with the same access technology, or networks with different access technologies. A base station may include one or more co-sited or non-co-sited transmission and receiving points. Exemplarily, the access network device may also be a wireless controller, a centralized unit (CU), and / or a distributed unit (DU) in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. The access network device may also be a server, etc. For example, the network device in vehicle to everything (V2X) technology may be a road side unit (RSU).

[0115] 3) Communication equipment, which is a device that supports wireless communication technology and can communicate with other devices or equipment. Communication equipment can also be called communication devices. In the embodiments of this application, the specific form of the communication equipment is not limited. For example, the communication equipment can be a terminal device, an access network device, an Internet of Things device, etc. It should be noted that in this application, when referring to a communication equipment, it can refer to the communication equipment itself or the chip, functional module or integrated circuit in the communication equipment that performs the method provided in this application. This application does not limit it.

[0116] 4) Ambient IoT refers to the technology in which IoT devices collect energy from the surrounding environment (such as radio waves, solar energy, wind, vibration, heat, etc.) to meet their working needs. Among them, IoT devices can use no batteries or limited storage. In this application, the environment can also be understood as the surroundings, that is, the ambient IoT can also be understood as the ambient IoT. Ambient IoT can also be called passive IoT. Among them, the source is the power source or energy source, and passive means not connected to an external energy source (for example, without a battery, etc.). Passive IoT is not the network passiveness in IoT, but the terminal node passiveness in IoT. The passiveness of the terminal node does not mean that the terminal node does not use energy (such as electrical energy), but that the terminal node has changed a way to obtain energy.

[0117] 5) Backscatter communication is an extremely low-power modulation and transmission technology designed using the principle of backscattering radio frequency signals. Backscatter communication technology is an extremely low-power, low-cost passive communication technology suitable for scenarios such as communication with power-sensitive devices (such as IoT devices). The working principle of backscatter communication is as follows: the exciter activates the transmitter by sending an RF excitation signal. The transmitter uses backscatter communication to modulate the information to be transmitted onto the RF signal and transmit it. The receiver receives the backscatter signal from the transmitter and demodulates it, thereby achieving information transmission. Backscatter communication technology typically involves three communication nodes: an exciter (i.e., an exciter), a reflector (i.e., a transmitter), and a receiver (i.e., a receiver). For more information about the exciter, reflector, and receiver, please refer to the relevant introduction below and will not be discussed in detail here.

[0118] Backscatter communication technology used in ambient IoT can be called ambient backscatter communication technology. In ambient backscatter communication technology, terminal nodes in ambient IoT (i.e., IoT devices or ambient IoT devices) can harvest energy from radio frequency signals in the surrounding environment (e.g., radio frequency signals from surrounding devices such as base stations and routers) to complete data modulation and actively send signals to the receiving end.

[0119] In this application, backscattering can also be understood as reflection, that is, the backscattering signal can also be understood as the reflection signal. The excitation signal can also be understood as a trigger signal, or a carrier wave.

[0120] 6) Path loss, also known as propagation loss, refers to the loss incurred by signal propagation in space. Specifically, it can be the loss introduced by the propagation environment between the transmitter and receiver. Path loss is caused by the radiative spread of transmitted power and the propagation characteristics of the channel, and can reflect the variation in the average received signal power over a macroscopic range. Theoretically, for the same transmission and reception distance (or transmission distance, communication distance, etc.), the path loss is also the same.

[0121] In the embodiment of the present application, path loss may also be referred to as path loss.

[0122] 7) Transmission power refers to the energy consumed or transmitted by a signal. In wireless communications, transmission power is often used to describe the strength (or power) of the signal transmitted by a wireless device. Wireless devices transmit information by sending electromagnetic waves, and the strength of these waves is a measure of power. Power is typically measured in watts (W) or decibel milliwatts (dBm), with dBm being a relative unit used to express power relative to a reference power.

[0123] 8) Signal strength refers to the strength of the received wireless signal. In wireless communications, signal strength is often used to describe the strength of the signal received by a wireless device. Signal strength directly affects the reception quality and transmission rate of a wireless device. Signal strength is typically expressed in decibel milliwatts (dBm), with higher values ​​indicating stronger signals.

[0124] In the embodiment of the present application, the received power and the signal strength of the received signal can be replaced with each other, the transmission power can also be called the sending power, and the transmission power and the signal strength of the transmitted (or sent) signal can be replaced with each other.

[0125] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the communication system to which the solution provided by the embodiments of the present application is applicable is first described in detail using the communication system shown in Figure 1 as an example. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system may include an excitation terminal 101, a transmitting terminal 102, and a receiving terminal 103.

[0126] In this communication system, the excitation terminal 101 can send an excitation signal. The excitation signal can be a single-tone signal (i.e., a continuous sine wave) or a multi-tone signal (i.e., a signal with a certain bandwidth). The excitation signal can be a radio frequency signal. The excitation signal can carry data to be sent to the receiving terminal 103, or it can not carry data to be sent to the receiving terminal 103. The excitation signal sent by the excitation terminal 101 is a signal known to the transmitting terminal 102.

[0127] After receiving the excitation signal, the transmitting end 102 can modulate the data to be sent onto the excitation signal, thereby obtaining a backscattered signal, and sending the backscattered signal to the receiving end 103. In an embodiment of the present application, the transmitting end 102 can be a passive device, that is, no power supply is required during the process of receiving the excitation signal and sending the backscattered signal; the transmitting end 102 can also be a semi-active device, that is, a power supply is required during the process of receiving the excitation signal or sending the backscattered signal. In an embodiment of the present application, the transmitting end can be capable of energy storage. Specifically, it can rely on the excitation signal for charging, or rely on other energy sources such as light for charging, and store energy. In an embodiment of the present application, the transmitting end may also be unable to store energy.

[0128] In the embodiments of the present application, the excitation end can be a device, or a unit, module, or chip (system) within the device, and the same applies to the transmitting end and the receiving end. The external forms of the excitation end, the transmitting end, and the receiving end may be various, and are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0129] For the convenience of description, the communication system shown in FIG1 is referred to as a backscatter communication system in the following embodiments of the present application.

[0130] It should be noted that the excitation end 101 may also have other names, such as activator, helper, interrogator, reader, terminal device, etc. For the convenience of description, they may all be referred to as excitation end in the embodiments of the present application. Correspondingly, the transmitting end 102 may also have other names, such as reflector, reflector, transmitter, terminal device, backscatter device, passive device, semi-passive device, semi-active device, backscatter signal device, passive device, Internet of Things (IoT) device, passive Internet of Things device, ambient device, or ambient IOT device, etc. For the convenience of description, they may all be referred to as transmitting end in the embodiments of the present application. The receiving end 103 may also have other names, such as receiver, reader, access point, access network device, base station, terminal device, etc. For the convenience of description, they may all be referred to as receiving end in the embodiments of the present application. In the present application, passive may also be referred to as negative. Semi-active can also be called semi-passive.

[0131] It should be noted that FIG1 is only an example. In a possible implementation, the excitation end and the receiving end may also be integrated into the same physical entity, which will not be described in detail here.

[0132] The backscatter communication system shown in Figure 1 and the method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to the environmental IoT scenario. The following uses the backscatter communication system applied to the environmental IoT scenario as an example to describe in detail the communication system to which the solution provided in the embodiment of the present application is applicable.

[0133] Figure 2a is a schematic diagram of the topology structure of the first communication system in the environmental IoT scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 2a, the communication system may include an access network device and an environmental IoT device. For ease of description, the communication system shown in Figure 2a in the following embodiments of the present application is referred to as topology structure 1. When the backscatter communication system is applied to topology structure 1, the environmental IoT device in topology structure 1 can serve as a transmitting end, the access network device in topology structure 1 can serve as a receiving end, and the access network device shown in topology structure 1 or any other device not shown in topology structure 1 that can provide an excitation signal to the IoT device can serve as an excitation end.

[0134] Figure 2b is a schematic diagram of the topology of a second communication system in an environmental IoT scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 2b, the communication system may include an access network device, an intermediate node, and an environmental IoT device. The relay node may be a relay, an integrated access backhaul (IAB) node, a terminal device, a new terminal device, a repeater, or a CPE, etc., and is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application. The access network device and the relay node can communicate via the Uu interface. For ease of description, the communication system shown in Figure 2b is referred to as topology 2 in the following embodiments of the present application. When the backscatter communication system is applied to topology 2, the environmental IoT device in topology 2 can serve as a transmitter, the relay node in topology 2 can serve as a receiver, and any device in topology 2 other than the environmental IoT device or any other device not shown in topology 2 that can provide an excitation signal to the IoT device can serve as an excitation terminal. For example, the relay node itself serves as an excitation terminal. This application uses a relay node as an example, and the relay node can be replaced by a terminal device.

[0135] Figure 2c is a schematic diagram of the topology structure of the third communication system in the environmental IoT scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in the schematic diagram (a) in Figure 2c or the schematic diagram (b) in Figure 2c, the communication system may include an access network device, an assisting node and an environmental IoT device. Among them, the schematic diagram (a) in Figure 2c is an uplink communication scenario, and the schematic diagram (b) in Figure 2c is a downlink communication scenario. The access network device and the assisting node can communicate through the Uu interface. For ease of description, the communication system shown in the schematic diagram (a) in Figure 2c and the communication system shown in the schematic diagram (b) in Figure 2c are referred to as topology structure 3 in the following embodiments of the present application. When the backscatter communication system is applied to topology structure 3, the environmental IoT device in topology structure 3 can be used as a transmitting end, the access network device in topology structure 3 can be used as a receiving end, and any device in topology structure 3 other than the environmental IoT device or any other device that can provide an excitation signal to the IoT device not shown in topology structure 3 can be used as an excitation end.

[0136] Figure 2d is a schematic diagram of the topology structure of the fourth communication system in the environmental IoT scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 2d, the communication system may include a terminal device and an environmental IoT device. For ease of description, the communication system shown in Figure 2d in the following embodiments of the present application is referred to as topology structure 4. When the backscatter communication system is applied to topology structure 4, the environmental IoT device in topology structure 4 can serve as a transmitting end, the terminal device in topology structure 4 can serve as a receiving end, and any device in topology structure 4 other than the environmental IoT device or any other device not shown in topology structure 4 that can provide an excitation signal to the IoT device can serve as an excitation end.

[0137] In the above-mentioned topologies 1 to 4, the direction of the link in each topology may be unidirectional or bidirectional, and this is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0138] In topologies 1 through 4 above, the number of nodes (or devices) in each topology can be one or more. Figures 2a through 2d illustrate the example of one node of each type in the corresponding topology, and do not limit the number of nodes in the topology.

[0139] The ambient IoT devices shown in topologies 1 to 4 above can be divided into the following three categories depending on their storage capacity:

[0140] Category 1 devices: Devices that may or may not store energy and lack independent signal generation capabilities. These devices lack independent signal generation / amplification capabilities during backscattering transmission. These devices may also be referred to as Device A.

[0141] Category 2 devices: Devices capable of energy storage but without independent signal generation capabilities. While performing backscatter transmission, these devices lack independent signal generation capabilities but can amplify backscattered signals. Specifically, they can utilize stored energy to amplify backscattered signals. This category of device is also referred to as Device B.

[0142] In this application, amplification can be understood as power amplification, that is, power amplification can be performed on the strength of the signal to be transmitted, or power amplification can be performed on the strength of the detected signal.

[0143] Category 3 devices: Devices capable of energy storage and independent signal generation. These devices can generate active radio frequency (RF) signals for data transmission. They are also referred to as Device C.

[0144] For ease of description, the environmental IoT device is referred to as the IoT device in the following embodiments of this application.

[0145] In the aforementioned topologies 1 to 4, the general application context of IoT devices is that the signals transmitted by the IoT devices need to be detected by a receiving end (e.g., a reader). Due to power constraints, especially since both the first and second category devices lack independent signal generation capabilities, IoT devices require a source that can provide an excitation signal (e.g., a carrier wave signal) to provide a carrier for the IoT device's signals to be transmitted. In any of the aforementioned topologies 1 to 4, the IoT device can be provided with an excitation signal by a node, which can be referred to as an activator or activator. The activator can be located within or outside the topology. The activator can be integrated with the receiving end or not. When the activator is integrated with the receiving end, the activator and the receiving end can be the same node or originate from the same node. When the activator is not integrated with the receiving end, the activator and the receiving end can be different nodes or originate from different nodes.

[0146] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, activator, activation, trigger, and waveform can be interchanged with each other. The excitation source / activation source / trigger source / waveform can all be understood as the same source.

[0147] The access network devices, relay nodes, auxiliary nodes, etc. shown in the above topologies 1 to 4 may be devices in communication systems of various standards. Among them, the communication system can be, for example, a new radio (NR) system, a long term evolution (LTE) system, an advanced long term evolution (LTE-A) system, a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), an evolved long term evolution (eLTE) system, a sixth generation (6G) communication system, a future communication system, and other communication systems, and can also be a vehicle to everything (V2X), long term evolution - vehicle network (LTE-vehicle, LTE-V), vehicle to vehicle (V2V), vehicle network, machine type communication (MTC), Internet of things (IoT), long term evolution - machine to machine (LTE-machine to machine, LTE-M), machine to machine (machine to machine, M2M) and other communication systems in scenarios, and no specific restrictions are made in the embodiments of the present application.

[0148] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field will know that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0149] It should be noted that, in the present application, "and / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there may be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent the following three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship. The multiple involved in the present application refers to two or more. At least one refers to one or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions is used to represent any combination of the listed items; for example, at least one of A, B and (or) C can represent the following situations: A exists alone, B exists alone, C exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, B and C exist at the same time, A and C exist at the same time, and A, B and C exist at the same time, where A, B, and C can be single or multiple. In addition, it should be understood that in the description of the present application, words such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish the purpose of description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, nor can they be understood as indicating or implying order.

[0150] The embodiment of the present application provides a communication method and a communication device, which can be applied in various backscatter communication scenarios and can be applied in communication systems of various standards. Based on the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application, the transmitter in the backscatter communication scenario can combine the specific scenario (such as the transmitter's own capabilities, backscatter communication requirements, backscatter communication path loss, backscatter communication path loss requirements, etc.) to more accurately determine whether to perform backscatter communication (i.e., whether to send a backscatter signal), thereby reducing or avoiding unnecessary backscatter communication, thereby reducing the failure of backscatter communication, improving the success rate of backscatter communication, and thus improving the efficiency of backscatter communication. Among them, by reducing or avoiding unnecessary backscatter communication, it is possible to avoid the transmitter wasting energy to perform unnecessary backscatter communication, and it is also possible to reduce or avoid system interference caused by unnecessary backscatter communication, thereby improving the overall communication efficiency.

[0151] In the present application, determining whether to perform backscatter communication may also be understood as determining to perform backscatter communication or determining to send a backscatter signal.

[0152] The following describes the solution provided in the embodiment of the present application in detail with reference to specific embodiments. It should be understood that the following description is based on the first device and the second device as the execution subject, but it can also be performed by components in the first device and the second device (such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system, etc.). When the steps of receiving, detecting, and sending are performed by components in the first device and the second device, it can be understood as being performed indirectly through other devices, or it can be understood as communicating with other devices through an interface, for example, communication between a chip and a radio frequency transceiver.

[0153] Example 1

[0154] In some embodiments of the present application, a transmitter in a backscatter communication scenario can determine whether it can successfully complete a backscatter communication by comparing the power it can use for backscatter communication with the power required for backscatter communication. If it determines that it can successfully complete a backscatter communication, the transmitter can determine to perform the corresponding backscatter communication; if it determines that it cannot successfully complete a backscatter communication, the transmitter can determine not to perform the corresponding backscatter communication. This method ensures the necessity and success rate of backscatter communication by the transmitter, and reduces unnecessary interference in the channel.

[0155] In the present application, determining whether the device itself supports completing a successful backscatter communication may also be understood as determining whether the device itself supports completing a successful backscatter communication.

[0156] The method provided in this embodiment can be applied to a scenario where a receiving end and an stimulating end are co-located in a backscatter communication system.

[0157] As shown in FIG3 , a communication method provided by this embodiment may include:

[0158] S301: The first device determines a first threshold.

[0159] It should be noted that the threshold values ​​described in the embodiments of the present application may also be replaced by threshold values. For example, the first threshold value may also be referred to as the first threshold value.

[0160] Optionally, the first device determines the first threshold value, which may be: the first device receives first signaling, where the first signaling is used to indicate the first threshold value.

[0161] Optionally, the first threshold may also be predefined.

[0162] The predefined in this application can also be replaced by predefined.

[0163] In this application, predefined or predefined can be understood as pre-configured, or pre-set at the factory.

[0164] In this embodiment, the first device may serve as a transmitter in a backscatter communication system. For example, the first device may be an IoT device as shown in the topologies 1 to 4 above.

[0165] In this embodiment, the first threshold value can be used by the first device to determine whether to send a backscatter signal, i.e., the second signal described below. It can also be understood that the first threshold value can be used by the first device to determine whether to perform backscatter transmission. Specifically, the first threshold value can be used as the power required for the first device to perform backscatter transmission, or can be used as the lower limit of the power required for the first device to perform backscatter transmission. In this application, power can also be understood as signal strength. That is, the first threshold value can be used as the signal strength required for the first device to perform backscatter transmission, or can be used as the lower limit of the signal strength required for the first device to perform backscatter transmission.

[0166] It should be noted that the backscatter transmission described in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as backscatter communication or backscattering transmission.

[0167] Optionally, the first signaling received by the first device may be sent by the second device, wherein the second device may serve as a receiving end in the backscatter communication system.

[0168] As an example, the first signaling described in each embodiment of the present application may be a select signaling (or similar paging signaling) or a query signaling. The query signaling may also be understood as an inquiry signaling.

[0169] S302: The first device detects a first signal.

[0170] It should be noted that the first signal described in each embodiment of the present application is an excitation signal, or the first signal can also be called an excitation signal. The detection signal described in each embodiment of the present application can also be understood as a received signal, and the transmission signal described in each embodiment of the present application can also be understood as a transmitted signal.

[0171] In this embodiment, the first signal may be a signal on a first path, which may be a communication path between a first device and a second device. That is, the first signal detected by the first device may be a signal of the second device. The second device may be an excitation terminal in a backscatter communication system.

[0172] It should be noted that the execution order of step S302 and step S301 can be arbitrary. For example, step S301 can be executed earlier than step S302, or executed at the same time as step S302, or executed later than step S302, etc. There is no specific limitation in this embodiment.

[0173] S303: The first device determines whether to transmit a second signal based on the first threshold and the first signal, wherein the second signal is a backscattered signal based on the first signal.

[0174] Determining whether to transmit the second signal can also be understood as determining whether a condition for transmitting the second signal is met. When the first device determines, based on the first threshold and the first signal, that the condition for transmitting the second signal is met, the second signal may be transmitted. When the first device determines, based on the first threshold and the first signal, that the condition for transmitting the second signal is not met, the second signal may be not transmitted.

[0175] It should be noted that the determination of whether to transmit the second signal in each embodiment of the present application can also be understood as determining whether to perform backscatter transmission. The backscatter signal in each embodiment of the present application can also be called a backscatter signal or a transmission signal with the aid of an excitation signal.

[0176] In this embodiment, the second signal is a backscatter signal, or the second signal can also be called a backscatter signal.

[0177] In this embodiment, transmitting the second signal may specifically include: transmitting the second signal over the first path.

[0178] In this embodiment, the receiving end and the stimulating end can be co-located, that is, the receiving end and the stimulating end are both second devices, and the first signal and the second signal are signals on the same path (that is, the first path). Exemplarily, the second device can be a device that can serve as both a receiving end and a stimulating end as shown in topologies 1 to 4 above, such as an access network device, a relay node, an auxiliary node, or a terminal device.

[0179] Example 1. In one example, in a possible scenario, taking the scenario where the excitation end and the receiving end are co-located in a backscatter communication scenario as an example, the first device may be the IoT device shown in Figure 4, and the second device may be the access network device shown in Figure 4. The IoT device may serve as the transmitter, and the access network device may serve as both the receiver and the excitation end. In this scenario, the first signal may be the excitation signal transmitted by the access network device and detected by the IoT device, and the second signal may be the backscatter signal transmitted by the IoT device (to the access network device).

[0180] In another example, in a possible scenario, taking the co-location of the excitation end and the receiving end in a backscatter communication scenario as an example, the first device can be the IoT device shown in topology 2, and the second device can be the terminal device. The IoT device can act as the transmitter, and the terminal device can act as both the receiver and the excitation end. In this scenario, the first signal can be the excitation signal transmitted by the terminal device and detected by the IoT device, and the second signal can be the backscatter signal transmitted by the IoT device (to the terminal device).

[0181] In this embodiment, after the first device obtains the first threshold and detects the first signal, it can determine whether to transmit the second signal based on the first threshold and the first signal. Specifically, the manner in which the first device determines whether to transmit the second signal based on the first threshold and the first signal can include at least one of the following:

[0182] Method 1: When the sum of the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device and half the power parameter of the first device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the second signal is transmitted. Specifically, the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device is denoted as Pr, the power parameter of the first device is denoted as Ps, and the first threshold is denoted as P. When Pr + Ps / 2 ≥ P is satisfied, the second signal is transmitted.

[0183] Method 2: When the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the second signal is transmitted. That is, the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device is recorded as Pr, and the first threshold is recorded as P. When Pr ≥ P, the second signal is transmitted.

[0184] Mode 3: When the sum of the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device and half of the power parameter of the first device is less than a first threshold, it is determined not to transmit the second signal. That is, the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device is denoted as Pr, the power parameter of the first device is denoted as Ps, and the first threshold is denoted as P. When Pr + Ps / 2 < P, it is determined not to transmit the second signal.

[0185] Mode 4: When the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device is less than the first threshold, it is determined not to transmit the second signal. That is, the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device is recorded as Pr, and the first threshold is recorded as P. When Pr < P, it is determined not to transmit the second signal.

[0186] Method 5: When the sum of the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device, the product of the sum of the signal strength and the power loss parameter of the first device and the power amplification parameter of the first device, and the first set value is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it is determined to transmit the second signal. That is, the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device is recorded as Pr, the power loss parameter of the first device is recorded as offset, the power amplification parameter of the first device is recorded as Pa, the first set value is recorded as b, and the first threshold is recorded as P. When Pr+(Pr+offset)×Pa+b≥P is satisfied, it is determined to transmit the second signal. Alternatively, when the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device, the product of the sum of the signal strength and the power loss parameter of the first device and the power amplification parameter of the first device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it is determined to transmit the second signal. That is, the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device is recorded as Pr, the power loss parameter of the first device is recorded as offset, the power amplification parameter of the first device is recorded as Pa, and the first threshold is recorded as P. When Pr+(Pr+offset)×Pa≥P is satisfied, it is determined to transmit the second signal.

[0187] Mode 6: When the sum of the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device, the product of the sum of the signal strength of the first signal and the power loss parameter of the first device, and the power amplification parameter of the first device, and the first set value is less than a first threshold, it is determined not to transmit the second signal. That is, the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device is recorded as Pr, the power loss parameter of the first device is recorded as offset, the power amplification parameter of the first device is recorded as Pa, the first set value is recorded as b, and the first threshold is recorded as P. When Pr + (Pr + offset) × Pa + b < P is satisfied, it is determined not to transmit the second signal. Alternatively, when the sum of the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device, the product of the sum of the signal strength and the power loss parameter of the first device, and the power amplification parameter of the first device is less than the first threshold, it is determined not to transmit the second signal. That is, the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device is recorded as Pr, the power loss parameter of the first device is recorded as offset, the power amplification parameter of the first device is recorded as Pa, and the first threshold is recorded as P. When Pr + (Pr + offset) × Pa < P is satisfied, it is determined not to transmit the second signal.

[0188] It should be understood that in various embodiments of the present application, “greater than or equal to” and “greater than” can be replaced with each other, and “less than or equal to” and “less than” can also be replaced with each other.

[0189] The first device determines whether to transmit the second signal based on the first threshold and the first signal, which can be understood as at least one of the following:

[0190] When the sum of the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device and half of the power parameter of the first device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it is determined to transmit the second signal.

[0191] When the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it is determined to transmit the second signal.

[0192] When the sum of the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device and half of the power parameter of the first device is less than a first threshold, it is determined not to transmit the second signal.

[0193] When the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device is less than the first threshold, it is determined not to transmit the second signal.

[0194] When the sum of the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device, the product of the sum of the signal strength and the power loss parameter of the first device and the power amplification parameter of the first device, and the first set value is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it is determined to transmit the second signal.

[0195] When the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device, the product of the sum of the signal strength and the power loss parameter of the first device and the power amplification parameter of the first device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it is determined to transmit the second signal.

[0196] When the sum of the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device, the product of the sum of the signal strength and the power loss parameter of the first device and the power amplification parameter of the first device, and the first set value is less than the first threshold, it is determined not to transmit the second signal.

[0197] When the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device, the product of the sum of the signal strength and the power loss parameter of the first device and the power amplification parameter of the first device is less than the first threshold, it is determined not to transmit the second signal.

[0198] The power parameters described in the embodiments of the present application may include power amplification parameters and / or power loss parameters.

[0199] The power amplification parameter is used to indicate the energy stored in the device or the power that the power amplifier of the device can provide for backscatter transmission. Alternatively, the power amplification parameter is used to indicate the energy stored in the device or the degree to which the power amplifier of the device can amplify the power (or signal strength). The degree of amplification can be expressed by an amplification factor, or can be expressed by other linear or nonlinear transformation formulas. In the above-mentioned method 1 and / or method 3, the power amplification parameter included in the power parameter can be used to indicate the energy stored in the device or the power that the power amplifier of the device can provide for backscatter transmission. In the above-mentioned method 5 and / or 6, the power amplification parameter can be used to indicate the energy stored in the device or the degree to which the power amplifier of the device can amplify the power (or signal strength).

[0200] The power loss parameter can be used to indicate the offset (or loss) of the device from detecting the reflection. The offset (or loss) from detecting the reflection can be understood as the loss from detecting the excitation signal (such as the second signal mentioned above) to transmitting the backscattered signal based on the excitation signal (such as the first signal mentioned above), or it can be understood as the loss caused by backscattering and any factors that cause power attenuation, or it can be understood as the internal power loss of the device when performing backscattering communication. In an embodiment of the present application, the power loss parameter may also be referred to as backscattering loss. Specifically, it can be reflection loss and / or frequency shift loss.

[0201] Optionally, when the first device belongs to the aforementioned first category of devices, the power parameters of the first device may include a power loss parameter of the first device. When the first device belongs to the aforementioned second category of devices, the power parameters of the first device may include a power amplification parameter and / or a power loss parameter of the first device.

[0202] In each of the above methods, the power loss parameter of the first device is 0 or a negative value (or a negative number). When the power loss parameter of the first device is a positive value (or a positive number), the sum of the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device and the power parameter of the first device can be replaced by: the difference between the first value and the second value; wherein the first value can be the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device, or the sum of the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device and the power amplification parameter of the first device; the second value can be the power loss parameter of the first device.

[0203] In this embodiment, when the first device determines not to transmit the second signal, it can store energy. Specifically, the first device can store energy based on the first signal. In this application, "based on" can also be understood as "based on."

[0204] In each of the above methods, the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device, or the sum of the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device and the power parameter of the first device, can be used as the power that the first device can provide for backscatter transmission. The first threshold can be used as the power required by the first device for backscatter transmission, or can be used as the lower limit of the power required by the first device for backscatter transmission. Therefore, based on the above method, the first device can compare whether the power it can provide for backscatter transmission meets the corresponding trigger threshold, i.e., the first threshold, and then determine whether the power it provides is sufficient for backscatter transmission. The first device can send the second signal when it determines that the power it provides is sufficient for backscatter transmission, and not send the second signal when it determines that the power it provides is insufficient for backscatter transmission. Based on this method, the first device can ensure that all backscatter transmissions performed can ensure that the corresponding second signal is received by the receiving end. Therefore, the above method can ensure the necessity and success rate of backscatter communication, reduce unnecessary interference in the channel, and thus improve communication efficiency.

[0205] Optionally, in this embodiment, before step S301, the following step S304 may be further included:

[0206] S304: The second device sends a first signaling.

[0207] The first signaling described in each embodiment of the present application may be radio resource control (RRC) signaling, or may be medium access control (MAC) signaling, or other types of signaling, and is not specifically limited in the present application.

[0208] In one possible solution, the first signaling may include a first threshold. The first threshold may serve as a trigger threshold for determining whether to perform backscatter communication. The first threshold is a power value or a signal strength value. The first threshold may serve as the power or signal strength required for the first device to perform backscatter transmission, or may serve as the lower limit of the power or signal strength required for the first device to perform backscatter transmission. As described in the above method, the first device may determine whether to perform backscatter transmission based on the first threshold and the power that the first device can provide for backscatter communication.

[0209] Optionally, in this solution, the second device sending the first signaling may specifically include: the second device sending the first signaling to the first device.

[0210] The method for determining the first threshold is described in detail below (for details, please refer to the following methods 1 to 4).

[0211] For ease of description, in this embodiment, the first threshold is denoted as P, the target power of the second signal detected by the second device is denoted as P0, the power of the first signal transmitted by the second device is denoted as P1, the power parameter of the first device is denoted as Ps, the power amplification parameter of the first device is denoted as Pa, the power loss parameter of the first device is denoted as offset, the signal strength of the excitation signal received by the first device is denoted as Pr, the power that the first device can provide for backscatter communication is denoted as P2, and the loss of the signal on the transmission path (i.e., the first path) between the second device and the first device is denoted as PL.

[0212] Method 1. In some embodiments of the present application, the power amplification parameter of the first device can be used to indicate the energy stored in the first device or the power that the power amplifier of the device can provide for backscatter transmission. In this scenario, the value of the first threshold is related to the power of the first signal transmitted by the second device, the target power of the second signal detected by the second device, and the power parameter of the first device. The second device can determine the first threshold based on these three parameters. Specifically, the second device can use the sum of the power of the first signal transmitted by the second device and the power of the second signal expected to be detected by the second device, minus half of the value of the power parameter of the first device, as the first threshold, that is, P = (P1 + P0 - Ps) / 2.

[0213] It should be noted that the target power for detecting the second signal described in the various embodiments of the present application can also be understood as: the power of the second signal expected to be received, or the signal strength of the second signal expected to be detected, or the target detection power or target received power of the second signal, or the detection threshold value of the second signal, or the detection sensitivity of the second signal, etc. In the various embodiments of the present application, power can be interchanged with signal strength. Power value can be interchanged with signal strength value. Detection can be interchanged with reception or monitoring. Expectation can be interchanged with expectation. The power for transmitting the first signal described in the various embodiments of the present application can also be understood as: the transmission power of the first signal, or the signal strength of the transmitted (or sent) first signal. In the various embodiments of the present application, a power amplifier is a signal amplifier or amplifier. Specifically, it can amplify the received signal strength or the signal strength to be transmitted. The amplification of the power amplifier can be superposition amplification, multiple amplification, or amplification based on a linear or nonlinear formula. Method 1 uses superposition amplification as an example, and Method 2 below uses multiple amplification or nonlinear amplification as examples.

[0214] In this method, as an optional implementation, the second device itself can determine the power parameters of the first device. For example, the second device can use the first set parameter or the empirical power parameter (i.e., the power parameter determined based on experience) as the power parameter of the first device. As another optional implementation, the second device can obtain the power parameters of the first device indicated by the signaling by receiving signaling from the first device. For example, when the power parameters of the first device include the power loss parameters of the first device, the first device can send a third signaling before receiving the first signaling, and the third signaling can be used to indicate the power loss parameters of the first device. The second device can determine the power loss parameters of the first device indicated by the third signaling by receiving the third signaling.

[0215] In this method, as an optional implementation, Ps=offset, and the second device can determine the first threshold according to the following formula: P=(P1+P0-offset) / 2. In this method, when the first device belongs to the aforementioned first category of devices, the first device can determine whether to transmit the second signal according to the above-mentioned method 2 and / or method 4. When the first device belongs to the aforementioned second category of devices, the first device can determine whether to transmit the second signal according to the above-mentioned method 1 and / or method 3. The power parameters of the first device described in the above-mentioned method 1 and / or method 3 include the power amplification parameters of the first device. As another optional implementation, Ps=Pa+offset, and the second device can determine the first threshold according to the following formula: P=(P1+P0-offset-Pa) / 2. Based on this method, the first device can determine whether to transmit the second signal according to the above-mentioned method 2 and / or method 4.

[0216] It should be noted that the power loss parameter in the above method is 0 or a negative value (or a negative number). When the power loss is a positive value (or a positive number), the "+offset" in the above method can be replaced by "-offset".

[0217] Example 2. In one example, based on the method provided in this embodiment, in any possible scenario described in Example 1 above, P0 is the target power of the backscattered signal detected by the second device, P1 is the power of the excitation signal transmitted by the second device, and offset is the empirical power deviation of the first device. The empirical power deviation of the first device is the empirical power deviation value of the excitation signal received and reflected by the first device. Pa is the power that the first device can use for backscattered transmission or the power provided to the power amplifier of the first device. Specifically, the first device can use the stored energy for power amplification to provide the power Pa.

[0218] In the first possible scenario described in Example 1 above, the second device may be an access network device, and the first device may be an IoT device. In the second possible scenario described in Example 1 above, the second device may be a terminal device, and the first device may be an IoT device.

[0219] In Example 2, when the value of the first device's experienced power offset, offset, is 0 or negative, the value of the trigger threshold P can conform to the following formula: P = (P1 + P0 + offset) / 2. When the value of the first device's experienced power offset, offset, is 0 or positive, the value of the trigger threshold P can conform to the following formula: P = (P1 + P0 - offset) / 2. In summary, the value of the trigger threshold P can conform to the following formula: P = (P1 + P0 - |offset|) / 2, where |offset| is the absolute value of offset.

[0220] Taking the offset value of 0 or a positive value as an example, in the scenario shown in Figure 4, the signal transmission path between the second device and the first device is the same. Therefore, it can be assumed that the loss of the backscattered signal sent by the first device on this transmission path (i.e., the first path) is the same as the loss of the excitation signal sent by the second device on this transmission path. The loss incurred during the process of the excitation signal sent by the second device being transmitted to the first device, converted into a backscattered signal within the first device, and then returned to the second device includes: the loss of the excitation signal on the transmission path (i.e., the first path), the loss of the backscattered signal on the transmission path, and the loss within the first device. The signal loss on the transmission path, PL, = (P1 + offset - P0) / 2. Therefore, it can be determined that to ensure that the second device detects the backscattered signal at the target power (i.e., P0), the power of the backscattered signal transmitted by the first device must be at least P0 + PL = (P1 + P0 + offset) / 2. Therefore, the trigger threshold, P = (P1 + P0 + offset) / 2, can be determined.

[0221] In this example 2, in one possible scenario, when the first device belongs to the aforementioned first category of devices (i.e., device A), after detecting the excitation signal from the second device, the first device can use the signal strength of the detected excitation signal as the power used by the first device for backscatter transmission (i.e., the power that the first device can provide for backscatter communication). In this scenario, P2=Pr. In another possible scenario, when the first device belongs to the aforementioned second category of devices (i.e., device B), after detecting the excitation signal from the second device, the first device can use the sum of the signal strength of the detected excitation signal and the power that can be amplified by the power amplifier as the power used by the first device for backscatter transmission. Specifically, power amplification can be performed using the energy that can be used for backscatter transmission that has been stored in the first device. In this scenario, P2=Pr+Pa. The energy that can be used for backscatter transmission that has been stored in the first device can include energy stored by the first device based on other excitation signals previously received.

[0222] Optionally, when the first device belongs to the aforementioned second category of devices, the first device may include a power amplifier. The power amplifier may be configured to amplify the backscatter signal using energy stored in the first device that can be used for backscatter transmission. The power corresponding to the energy stored in the first device that can be used for backscatter transmission may also be understood as the power that can be added to the backscatter signal during the amplification process of the backscatter signal by the power amplifier in the first device.

[0223] In Example 2, when the first device belongs to the aforementioned first category of devices, after detecting the excitation signal from the second device and determining P2 and P based on the above method, the first device determines to perform backscatter transmission if it determines that P2 (i.e., Pr) is greater than or equal to P; and determines not to perform backscatter transmission if it determines that P2 (i.e., Pr) is less than P. When determining to perform backscatter transmission, the first device may modulate the information to be sent onto the excitation signal to thereby obtain a backscatter signal, and transmit the backscatter signal.

[0224] In Example 2, when the first device belongs to the aforementioned second category of devices, in one possible solution, after detecting the excitation signal from the second device and determining P2 and P based on the above method, the first device determines to perform backscatter transmission if it determines that P2 (i.e., Pr + Pa) is greater than or equal to P; if it determines that P2 (i.e., Pr + Pa) is less than P, it determines not to perform backscatter transmission. When determining to perform backscatter transmission, the first device may modulate the information to be transmitted onto the excitation signal to thereby generate a backscatter signal, and then transmit the backscatter signal. During this process, the first device may or may not use stored energy. For example, when Pr is greater than or equal to P, the first device may not use stored energy. When Pr is less than P, the first device must use stored energy. In this scenario, the stored energy required by the first device must meet the following condition: the power it can provide must be greater than or equal to P - Pr. When determining not to perform backscatter transmission, the first device may convert the received excitation signal into energy for storage. The energy stored by the first device in this manner can be used for the next backscatter communication.

[0225] In this example 2, when the first device belongs to the aforementioned second type of device, in another possible solution, after detecting the excitation signal from the second device, the first device may first compare Pr with P. If the first device determines that Pr is greater than or equal to P, it determines to perform backscatter transmission. When determining to perform backscatter transmission, the first device may modulate the information to be sent onto the excitation signal, thereby obtaining a backscatter signal, and transmit the backscatter signal. If the first device determines that Pr is less than P, it may continue to compare Pr+Pa with P. When comparing Pr+Pa with P, if the first device determines that Pr+Pa is greater than or equal to P, it determines to perform backscatter transmission. When determining to perform backscatter transmission, the first device may use the stored energy (i.e., the power corresponding to Pa) to modulate the information to be sent onto the excitation signal, thereby obtaining a backscatter signal, and transmit the backscatter signal. If the first device determines that Pr+Pa is less than P, it determines not to perform backscatter transmission. When determining not to perform backscatter transmission, the first device may convert the received excitation signal into energy for storage. The energy stored by the first device in this manner can be used for the next backscatter communication.

[0226] Based on the above method, in the scenario shown in Figure 4, the first device within the first range can be: a first device that meets the condition that Pr is greater than or equal to P. The first device within the first range can directly perform backscatter transmission based on the received excitation signal. The first device outside the first range requires additional energy to achieve backscatter transmission. For example, the first device within the second range can be: a first device that meets the condition that Pr + Pa is greater than or equal to P. The first device within the second range requires the use of stored energy to achieve backscatter communication.

[0227] In this Example 2, by obtaining an excitation signal in the first direction (i.e., the excitation signal transmission direction shown in FIG4 ) of the same path (i.e., the first path) between the second device and the first device, and sending a backscatter signal in the second direction of the path (i.e., the backscatter signal transmission direction shown in FIG4 ), the first device determines whether the power provided for sending the backscatter signal (i.e., P2) meets the requirement of the desired signal power (i.e., P) after the backscatter transmission loss, thereby ensuring that the first device can be successfully and accurately detected (i.e., received) by the second device as long as it transmits a backscatter signal. Therefore, the above method can ensure the necessity and success rate of backscatter communication, reduce unnecessary interference in the channel, and thus improve communication efficiency.

[0228] Method 2: In some embodiments of the present application, the power amplification parameter of the first device may be used to indicate the degree to which the first device can amplify power (which may also be replaced by signal strength in this method). The first device may amplify power using stored energy.

[0229] In this scenario, the power amplification parameter Pa can be used as the amplification factor. When the device linearly amplifies the power, the amplified power can be the product of the power before amplification and Pa. That is, the amplified power and the power before amplification meet the following formula: P A =Pa×P B Among them, P A is the amplified power, P B is the power before amplification. When the device performs nonlinear amplification on power (or signal strength), as an optional implementation, the power after amplification can be the product of the power before amplification and Pa, plus the first set value b. That is, the power after amplification and the power before amplification meet the following formula: P A =Pa×P B +b. Among them, P A is the amplified power, P Bis the power before amplification, b is the first set value, and b is a positive value. In this way, Pa can be used to represent the linear amplification part in nonlinear amplification, and b can be used to represent the nonlinear amplification part in nonlinear amplification. When the law of nonlinear amplification of power by the device is other formulas, a similar method can be used to determine P A With P B relationship.

[0230] In this scenario, the value of the first threshold is related to the power of the first signal transmitted by the second device, the target power of the second signal detected by the second device, and the power parameter of the first device. The second device can determine the first threshold based on these three parameters.

[0231] Specifically, when the power parameter of the first device includes a power amplification parameter and a power loss parameter, the second device can use the ratio of the first value to the second value as the first threshold. The first value is the sum of the power of the first signal transmitted by the second device and the target power of the second signal detected by the second device, and the difference between the third value and the first set value. The third value is the product of the power loss parameter of the first device and the power amplification parameter of the first device. The second value is the sum of the power parameter of the first device and 1. That is, P = (P1 + P0-offset × Pa-b) / (1 + Pa). The value of b can be 0 or a positive value. Specifically, when the power amplification performed by the first device is linear amplification, the value of b is 0. In this scenario, P = (P1 + P0-offset × Pa) / (1 + Pa). When the power amplification performed by the first device is nonlinear amplification, the value of b is a positive value. In this scenario, P = (P1 + P0-offset × Pa-b) / (1 + Pa).

[0232] In method 2, PL = P1 - Pr, and P2 = (Pr + offset) × Pa + b. To ensure that the second device detects the backscattered signal at least according to P0, it is necessary to ensure that P2 - PL is greater than or equal to P0, that is, (Pr + offset) × Pa + b - (P1 - Pr) ≥ P0. Therefore, it can be deduced that Pr ≥ (P1 + P0 - offset × Pa - b) / (1 + Pa), and thus the first threshold P = (P1 + P0 - offset × Pa - b) / (1 + Pa) can be determined.

[0233] Wherein, the value of offset is 0 or a negative value (or a negative number). When the value of offset is a positive value (or a positive number), the "+offset" in each formula in Case 3 can be replaced by "-offset".

[0234] When the first device belongs to the aforementioned second category of devices, the second device may determine the first threshold according to method 2. Based on method 2, the first device may adopt the aforementioned manner 2 and / or manner 4 to determine whether to transmit the second signal.

[0235] In method 2, the method for the second device to determine the various parameters required to calculate the first threshold can refer to the relevant methods described in the above method 1 and will not be repeated here.

[0236] Method 3: In some embodiments of the present application, the value of the first threshold is related to the power of the first signal transmitted by the second device and the target power at which the second device detects the second signal. The second device can determine the first threshold based on these two parameters. Specifically, the second device can use half of the sum of the power of the first signal transmitted by the second device and the power at which the second device expects to detect the second signal as the first threshold, that is, P = (P1 + P0) / 2.

[0237] Based on method 3, the first device may adopt the aforementioned method 1 and / or method 3 to determine whether to transmit the second signal.

[0238] Method 4: In some embodiments of the present application, the value of the first threshold is related to the power of the first signal transmitted by the second device and the target power at which the second device detects the second signal. The second device can determine the first threshold based on these two parameters. Specifically, the second device can use the sum of the power of the first signal transmitted by the second device and the power at which the second device expects to detect the second signal as the first threshold, that is, P = P1 + P0.

[0239] Based on method 4, the first device may adopt the aforementioned manner 5 and / or manner 6 to determine whether to transmit the second signal.

[0240] In another possible solution, the first signaling may include a first threshold range to which the first threshold belongs. The first threshold range may be used to determine the first threshold, that is, the first device may determine the first threshold according to the first threshold range.

[0241] In this solution, the first threshold range can be a threshold range corresponding to the first power loss parameter range. The first power loss parameter range is the range to which the power loss parameter of the transmitting end belongs. The first loss parameter range includes at least the power loss parameter of the first device and may also include power loss parameters of other devices used as transmitting ends. In other words, the first threshold range is a threshold range (or threshold range) determined by the range to which the power loss parameter of the transmitting end belongs.

[0242] In this solution, the lower bound value (or minimum value) of the first power loss parameter range can correspond to the lower bound value of the first threshold range, and the upper bound value (or maximum value) of the first power loss parameter range can correspond to the upper bound value of the first threshold range. The second device can determine the lower bound value of the first threshold range based on the lower bound value of the first power loss parameter range, and determine the upper bound value of the first threshold range based on the upper bound value of the first power loss parameter range, thereby obtaining the first threshold range to which the first threshold belongs. Among them, regarding the method for the second device to determine the corresponding value in the first threshold range based on the value in the first power loss parameter range (such as the lower bound value / upper bound value), it can be implemented with reference to the above-mentioned method for the second device to determine the first threshold, and will not be repeated here. Optionally, the second device can obtain the first power loss parameter range indicated by the second signaling by receiving the second signaling. Optionally, the second signaling can be sent by a device (such as the first device) as a transmitter. Optionally, the first power loss parameter range can also be predefined.

[0243] In this solution, after the second device determines the first threshold range, it can send the first threshold range via the first signaling. Optionally, the second device can send the first signaling in a targeted manner to at least one device including the first device, or can send the first signaling in a broadcast manner, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0244] The first device determines the first threshold value based on the first threshold range, the power loss parameter and the first power loss parameter range. Optionally, after receiving the first signaling, the first device may determine the first threshold value based on the first threshold range contained in the first signaling, as well as the power loss parameter and the first power loss parameter range of the first device. The power loss parameter, the first threshold range, the first power loss parameter range and the first threshold of the first device meet the following conditions: the difference between the power loss parameter of the first device and the lower limit value of the first power loss parameter range is equal to the difference between the first threshold value and the lower limit value of the first threshold range; and / or the difference between the upper limit value of the first power loss parameter range and the power loss parameter of the first device is equal to the difference between the upper limit value of the first threshold range and the first threshold value. The first device may determine the first threshold value based on the difference between its own power loss parameter and the upper limit value and / or lower limit value of the first power loss parameter range, in combination with the first threshold range, with the goal of meeting the above conditions.

[0245] Optionally, in this embodiment, before step S302, the following step S305 may be further included:

[0246] S305: The second device transmits the first signal.

[0247] In some embodiments of the present application, the second device may transmit the first signal in a unicast, multicast or broadcast manner, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application. Accordingly, the first device may detect the first signal transmitted by the second device.

[0248] In this embodiment, the second device transmitting the first signal may specifically include: the second device transmitting the first signal on the first path. Correspondingly, the first device may detect the first signal on the first path.

[0249] In the embodiment of the present application, the “determining whether to transmit the second signal” in the above step S303 can also be replaced with “determining to transmit the second signal.” Based on this approach, the first device can determine to transmit the second signal according to the above approach 1 and / or approach 2.

[0250] Example 2

[0251] In some embodiments of the present application, a transmitter in a backscatter communication scenario can determine whether it supports completing a successful backscatter communication (i.e., backscatter communication that meets the path loss requirement) by comparing the path loss of its own backscatter communication with the path loss requirement that needs to be met. When it is determined that it supports completing a successful backscatter communication, the transmitter can determine to perform the corresponding backscatter communication. When it is determined that it does not support completing a successful backscatter communication, the transmitter can determine not to perform the corresponding backscatter communication. Through this method, the necessity and success rate of the transmitter performing backscatter communication can be guaranteed, and unnecessary interference in the channel can be reduced.

[0252] The method provided in this embodiment can be applied to a scenario in which a receiving end and an stimulating end in a backscatter communication system are located at different sites.

[0253] As shown in FIG5 , a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application may include:

[0254] S501: A first device determines a first threshold.

[0255] Optionally, the first device determines the first threshold value, which may be: the first device receives first signaling, where the first signaling is used to indicate the first threshold value.

[0256] Optionally, the first threshold may also be predefined.

[0257] In this embodiment, the first threshold value may be used as a path loss requirement that the first device needs to meet for backscatter transmission. Specifically, the first threshold value may be used as an upper limit of the path loss for the first device for backscatter transmission.

[0258] In this embodiment, the first device may serve as a transmitter in a backscatter communication system. For example, the first device may be an IoT device as shown in the topologies 1 to 4 above.

[0259] Optionally, the first signaling received by the first device may be sent by the second device, wherein the second device may serve as a receiving end in the backscatter communication system.

[0260] S502: The first device detects a first signal.

[0261] In this embodiment, the first signal may be a signal on a first path, which may be a communication path between the first device and the third device. In other words, the first signal detected by the first device may be a signal transmitted by the third device. The third device may serve as an excitation terminal in a backscatter communication system.

[0262] Optionally, the distance between the first device and the third device may be less than or equal to a set distance.

[0263] It should be noted that the execution order of step S502 and step S501 can be arbitrary. For example, step S501 can be executed earlier than step S502, or simultaneously with step S502, or later than step S502, etc. There is no specific limitation in this embodiment.

[0264] S503: The first device determines whether to transmit a second signal based on the first threshold and the first signal, wherein the second signal is a backscattered signal based on the first signal.

[0265] Determining whether to transmit the second signal can also be understood as determining whether a condition for transmitting the second signal is met. When the first device determines, based on the first threshold and the first signal, that the condition for transmitting the second signal is met, the second signal may be transmitted. When the first device determines, based on the first threshold and the first signal, that the condition for transmitting the second signal is not met, the second signal may be not transmitted.

[0266] The transmitting of the second signal in this embodiment may specifically include: transmitting the second signal over a second path, where the second path is a communication path between the first device and the second device.

[0267] In this embodiment, the receiving end and the exciting end are located at different sites, and the first signal and the second signal are signals on different paths.

[0268] Specifically, in topology 1, the terminal device may be used as the excitation end, and the base station may be used as the receiving end.

[0269] Example 3. In one example, in a possible scenario, taking the scenario in which the excitation end and the receiving end in the backscatter communication scenario are at different sites as an example, the first device can be the IoT device shown in Figure 6, the second device can be the access network device shown in Figure 6, and the third device can be the excitation source shown in Figure 6. Among them, the IoT device can serve as the transmitter, the access network device can serve as the receiver, and the excitation source can serve as the excitation end. In this scenario, the first signal can be the excitation signal transmitted by the excitation source and detected by the IoT device, and the second signal can be the backscatter signal transmitted by the IoT device (to the access network device).

[0270] In this embodiment, after the first device obtains the first threshold and detects the first signal, it can determine whether to transmit the second signal based on the first threshold and the first signal. Specifically, the first device determines whether to transmit the second signal based on the first threshold and the first signal in at least one of the following ways:

[0271] Mode 1: When the path loss of the second signal transmitted by the first device is less than or equal to a first threshold, determine to transmit the second signal.

[0272] Mode 2: When the path loss of the second signal transmitted by the first device is greater than a first threshold, determine not to transmit the second signal.

[0273] The first device determines whether to transmit the second signal based on the first threshold and the first signal, which can be understood as at least one of the following:

[0274] When the path loss of the second signal transmitted by the first device is less than or equal to the first threshold, it is determined to transmit the second signal.

[0275] When the path loss of the second signal transmitted by the first device is greater than the first threshold, it is determined not to transmit the second signal.

[0276] The first device may determine the path loss for transmitting the second signal by the first device based on the reference signal detected on the second path. Specifically, the second device may transmit the reference signal on the second path and may send a second signaling, wherein the second signaling is used to indicate the power of the reference signal transmitted by the second device. After detecting the reference signal on the second path and receiving the second signaling, the first device may determine the path loss of the signal on the second path based on the signal strength of the detected reference signal and the power of the reference signal transmitted by the second device, and use the determined path loss of the signal on the second path as the path loss for transmitting the second signal.

[0277] For ease of description, in this embodiment, the power of the reference signal transmitted by the second device is recorded as P1', the signal strength of the reference signal detected by the first device is recorded as Pr', and the path loss of transmitting the second signal is recorded as PL.

[0278] In this embodiment, the value of the path loss for transmitting the second signal may be the difference between the power of the reference signal transmitted by the second device and the signal strength of the reference signal detected by the first device, that is, PL=P1′−Pr′.

[0279] In this embodiment, when the first device determines not to transmit the second signal, energy storage can be performed. Specifically, the first device can store energy according to the first signal.

[0280] In the above method, the first device can compare whether its actual path loss (i.e., PL) when performing backscatter transmission meets the corresponding path loss requirement (i.e., the first threshold), and then determine whether it can support backscatter transmission that meets the path loss requirement. The first device can send a second signal when it determines that it can support backscatter transmission that meets the path loss requirement. When it determines that it cannot support backscatter transmission that meets the path loss requirement, it does not send the second signal. Therefore, the first device can ensure that all backscatter transmissions performed can ensure that the receiving end receives the corresponding second signal. Therefore, the above method can ensure the necessity and success rate of backscatter communication, as well as reduce unnecessary interference in the channel, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0281] Optionally, in this embodiment, before step S501, the following step S504 may be further included:

[0282] S504: The second device sends a first signaling.

[0283] In this embodiment, the first signaling may include a first threshold. The first threshold may serve as a trigger threshold for determining whether to perform backscatter communication. The first threshold is a power value. The first threshold may serve as an upper limit on the path loss that the first device must meet to perform backscatter transmission. As described in the above method, the first device may determine whether to perform backscatter transmission based on the first threshold and the path loss of the first device's backscatter transmission.

[0284] Optionally, in this solution, the second device sending the first signaling may specifically include: the second device sending the first signaling to the first device.

[0285] The method for determining the first threshold is described in detail below.

[0286] For ease of description, in this embodiment, the target power of the second signal detected by the second device is denoted as P0, the power of the first signal transmitted by the third device is denoted as P1, the path loss between the first and third devices is denoted as PL', the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device is denoted as Pr, the power parameter of the first device is denoted as Ps, the power amplification parameter of the first device is denoted as Pa, the power loss parameter of the first device is denoted as offset, and the first threshold is denoted as P. Pr = P1 - PL'.

[0287] In this embodiment, the value of the first threshold is related to the target power of the second signal detected by the second device, the power of the first signal transmitted by the third device, the path loss between the first and third devices, and the power parameter of the first device. The second device can determine the first threshold based on these four parameters. For details, refer to Method 1 or Method 2 below.

[0288] Method 1: In some embodiments of the present application, the power amplification parameter of the first device can be used to indicate the energy stored in the first device or the power that the device's power amplifier can provide for backscatter transmission. In this scenario, the second device can use the sum of the power of the first signal transmitted by the third device and the power parameter of the first device, the difference between the target power of the second signal detected by the second device and the path loss between the first and third devices as the first threshold, that is, P = P1 + Ps - P0 - PL'.

[0289] Among them, regarding the second device detecting the target power of the second signal, the power parameters of the first device, and the method for the second device to determine the power parameters of the first device, etc., refer to the corresponding contents described in the aforementioned embodiment 1 and will not be repeated here.

[0290] In this embodiment, as an optional implementation, the second device itself can determine the power of the first signal transmitted by the third device and the path loss between the first device and the third device. For example, the second device can pre-configure or notify the third device through signaling the power of the first signal transmitted. It can also be predefined that the third device transmits the first signal. The second device can use a second setting parameter (such as 0, etc.) or an empirical loss (i.e., a path loss determined based on experience) as the path loss between the first device and the third device. As another optional implementation, the second device can obtain the power of the first signal transmitted by the first device indicated by the third signaling by receiving a third signaling sent by the first device or the third device. The second device can obtain the path loss between the first device and the third device indicated by the fourth signaling by receiving a fourth signaling sent by the first device or the third device. As another optional implementation, the second device can also determine the power of the first signal transmitted by the first device by predefinition.

[0291] In this method, as an optional implementation, Ps = offset, and the second device can determine the first threshold according to the following formula: P = P1-PL' + offset-P0. As another optional implementation, Ps = Pa + offset, and the second device can determine the first threshold according to the following formula: P = P1-PL' + Pa + offset-P0.

[0292] It should be noted that the power loss parameter in the above method is 0 or a negative value (or a negative number). When the power loss parameter is a positive value (or a positive number), the "+offset" in the above method can be replaced by "-offset".

[0293] Example 4. In one example, based on the method provided in this embodiment, in the scenario described in Example 3 above, P0 is the target power of the access network device to detect the second signal, P1 is the power of the excitation source to transmit the first signal, PL' is the path loss between the IoT device and the excitation source, offset is the power loss parameter offset of the IoT device, and P is the first threshold.

[0294] In Example 4, when the value of the IoT device's experienced power deviation offset is 0 or a negative value, the value of the trigger threshold P can conform to the following formula: P = P1-PL'+offset-P0. When the value of the IoT device's experienced power deviation offset is 0 or a positive value, the value of the trigger threshold P can conform to the following formula: P = P1-PL'-offset-P0. In summary, the value of the trigger threshold P can conform to the following formula: P = (P1-PL'-|offset|-P0, where |offset| is the absolute value of offset).

[0295] In Example 4, after determining PL and P based on the above method, the IoT device determines to perform backscatter transmission if PL is less than or equal to P; otherwise, it determines not to perform backscatter transmission. When determining to perform backscatter transmission, the IoT device can modulate the information to be transmitted onto the excitation signal to generate a backscatter signal, and then transmit the backscatter signal. When determining not to perform backscatter transmission, the IoT device can convert the received excitation signal into energy for storage. The energy stored in this manner can be used by the IoT device the next time it performs backscatter communication.

[0296] Based on the above method, in the scenario shown in Figure 6, IoT devices within the first range can be IoT devices that meet the condition that PL is less than or equal to P. IoT devices within the first range can directly perform backscatter transmission based on the received excitation signal. IoT devices outside the first range require additional energy to achieve backscatter transmission.

[0297] In this example 4, by obtaining an excitation signal from the first path between the excitation source and the IoT device (i.e., the first path shown in FIG6 ), and sending a backscatter signal on the second path between the IoT device and the access network device (i.e., the second path shown in FIG6 ), the IoT device determines whether the path loss (i.e., PL) of the transmitted backscatter signal meets the corresponding path loss requirement (i.e., P), and sends the backscatter signal when the corresponding path loss requirement is met. This ensures that as long as the IoT device transmits a backscatter signal, it can be successfully and accurately detected (i.e., received) by the access network device. Therefore, the above method can ensure the necessity and success rate of backscatter communication, and reduce unnecessary interference in the channel, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0298] Method 2: In some embodiments of the present application, the power amplification parameter of the first device may be used to indicate the degree to which the first device can amplify power (which may also be replaced by signal strength in this method). The first device may amplify power using stored energy.

[0299] In this scenario, the power amplification parameter Pa can be used as the amplification factor. When the device linearly amplifies the power, the amplified power can be the product of the power before amplification and Pa. That is, the amplified power and the power before amplification meet the following formula: P A =Pa×P B Among them, P A is the amplified power, P B is the power before amplification. When the device performs nonlinear amplification on power (or signal strength), as an optional implementation, the power after amplification can be the product of the power before amplification and Pa, plus the first set value b. That is, the power after amplification and the power before amplification meet the following formula: P A =Pa×P B +b. Among them, P A is the amplified power, P B is the power before amplification, b is the first set value, and b is a positive value. In this way, Pa can be used to represent the linear amplification part in nonlinear amplification, and b can be used to represent the nonlinear amplification part in nonlinear amplification. When the law of nonlinear amplification of power by the device is other formulas, a similar method can be used to determine P A With P B relationship.

[0300] In this scenario, the second device can use the sum of the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device and the power loss parameter of the first device, the product of the power amplification parameter of the first device, plus b, and then subtract the target power of the second signal detected by the second device as the first threshold. The signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device can be the difference between the power of the first signal transmitted by the third device and the path loss between the first and third devices. That is, P = (Pr + offset) × Pa + b - P0 = (P1 - PL' + offset) × Pa + b - P0.

[0301] Wherein, the value of offset is 0 or a negative value (or a negative number). When the value of offset is a positive value (or a positive number), the "+offset" in each formula in Method 2 can be replaced by "-offset".

[0302] When the first device belongs to the aforementioned second category of devices, the second device may determine the first threshold according to method 2. Based on method 2, the first device may adopt the aforementioned manner 1 and / or manner 2 to determine whether to transmit the second signal.

[0303] In method 2, the method for the second device to determine the parameters required for calculating the first threshold may refer to the corresponding content described in method 1 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0304] Optionally, in this embodiment, before step S502, the following step S505 may be further included:

[0305] S505: The third device transmits a first signal.

[0306] In some embodiments of the present application, the third device may transmit the first signal in a unicast, multicast or broadcast manner, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application. Accordingly, the first device may detect the first signal transmitted by the third device.

[0307] In this embodiment, the third device transmitting the first signal may specifically include: the third device transmitting the first signal on the first path. Correspondingly, the first device may detect the first signal on the first path.

[0308] In the embodiment of the present application, the “determining whether to transmit the second signal” in the above step S503 can also be replaced with “determining to transmit the second signal.” Based on this approach, the first device can determine to transmit the second signal according to approach 1 described in this embodiment.

[0309] Example 3

[0310] In some embodiments of the present application, the receiving end in the backscatter communication scenario can indicate the power of the backscatter signal from the transmitting end that it expects to detect (i.e., the target received power) to the transmitting end, and the transmitting end can determine the power required for backscatter communication (i.e., sending the backscatter signal) based on the power. And by comparing the power that it can use for backscatter communication with the power required for backscatter communication, it can determine whether it supports completing a successful backscatter communication. When it is determined that it supports completing a successful backscatter communication, the transmitting end can determine to perform the corresponding backscatter communication; when it is determined that it does not support completing a successful backscatter communication, the transmitting end can determine not to perform the corresponding backscatter communication. Through this method, the necessity and success rate of the transmitting end performing backscatter communication can be guaranteed, and unnecessary interference in the channel can be reduced.

[0311] The method provided in this embodiment can be applied to a scenario where a receiving end and an stimulating end are co-located in a backscatter communication system.

[0312] As shown in FIG7 , a communication method provided by this embodiment may include:

[0313] S701: A first device determines a first target power value.

[0314] Optionally, the first device determines the first target power value, which may be: the first device receives first signaling, where the first signaling is used to indicate the first target power value.

[0315] Optionally, the first target power value may also be predefined.

[0316] The first target power value can be used by the first device to determine whether to transmit a backscatter signal, i.e., the second signal described below. Alternatively, the first target power value can be used by the first device to determine whether to perform backscatter transmission. In this application, power can also be understood as signal strength. That is, the first target power value can also be replaced by a first target signal strength value.

[0317] In this embodiment, the first device may serve as a transmitter in a backscatter communication system. For example, the first device may be an IoT device as shown in the topologies 1 to 4 above.

[0318] Optionally, the first signaling received by the first device may be sent by the second device, wherein the second device may serve as a receiving end in the backscatter communication system.

[0319] S702: The first device detects a first signal.

[0320] In this embodiment, the first signal may be a signal on a first path, and the first path may be a communication path between the first device and the second device. That is, the first signal detected by the first device may be a signal sent by the second device. The second device may serve as an excitation end in a backscatter communication system. For example, the second device may be a device that can serve as both a receiving end and an excitation end as shown in topologies 1 to 4 above, such as an access network device, a relay node, an auxiliary node, or a terminal device.

[0321] It should be noted that the execution order of step S702 and step S701 can be arbitrary. For example, step S701 can be executed earlier than step S702, or simultaneously with step S702, or later than step S702, etc. There is no specific limitation in this embodiment.

[0322] S703: The first device determines whether to transmit a second signal based on the first target power value and the first signal; wherein the second signal is a backscattered signal based on the first signal.

[0323] Determining whether to transmit the second signal can also be understood as determining whether a condition for transmitting the second signal is met. When the first device determines, based on the first target power value and the first signal, that the condition for transmitting the second signal is met, it may determine to transmit the second signal. When the first device determines, based on the first target power value and the first signal, that the condition for transmitting the second signal is not met, it may determine not to transmit the second signal.

[0324] In this embodiment, the second signal is a backscatter signal, or the second signal can also be called a backscatter signal.

[0325] The transmitting of the second signal in this embodiment may specifically include: transmitting the second signal over the first path.

[0326] In this embodiment, the receiving end and the stimulating end are co-located, that is, the receiving end and the stimulating end are both second devices, and the first signal and the second signal are signals on the same path (that is, the first path).

[0327] Illustratively, the method provided in this embodiment can be applied in any possible scenario described in Example 1 above.

[0328] For ease of description, in this embodiment, the first target power value is recorded as P0, the transmission power of the first signal is recorded as P1, the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device is recorded as Pr, the path loss of the second signal on the first path is recorded as PL, the target transmission power of the second signal is recorded as Ptx, the candidate value of the target transmission power of the second signal is recorded as Ptx', the set power value is recorded as Pmax, the power of the second signal transmitted by the first device is recorded as P2, the power parameter of the first device is recorded as Ps, the power amplification parameter of the first device is recorded as Pa, and the power loss parameter of the first device is recorded as offset.

[0329] In this embodiment, the first device can determine the target transmission power of the second signal based on the first target power value, can determine the power of transmitting the second signal based on the first signal, and then determine whether to transmit the second signal based on the target transmission power of the second signal and the power of transmitting the second signal.

[0330] It should be noted that the target transmission power of the second signal described in each embodiment of the present application can also be understood as: the target power for transmitting the second signal, or the power required for transmitting the second signal. The power for transmitting the second signal can also be understood as the power used to transmit the second signal.

[0331] The following describes in detail a method in which the first device determines the power for transmitting the second signal based on the first signal.

[0332] In this embodiment, the power of transmitting the second signal can be determined by the first device based on the signal strength of the detected first signal, or can be determined by the first device based on the signal strength of the detected first signal and the power parameter of the first device, or can be determined by the first device based on the signal strength of the detected first signal, the power parameter of the first device and a set linear or nonlinear transformation formula. Among them, the power parameter of the first device can refer to the description of the aforementioned embodiment 1 and will not be repeated here. For details, please refer to the following methods 1 to 3.

[0333] Method 1: The power of transmitting the second signal may be the sum of the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device and the power parameter of the first device, that is, P2=Pr+Ps.

[0334] When the first device belongs to the aforementioned first type of device, Ps=offset. When the first device belongs to the aforementioned second type of device, Ps=Pa+offset.

[0335] In this scenario, the power amplification parameter of the first device may be used to indicate the energy stored in the first device or the power that can be provided by the power amplifier of the device for backscatter transmission.

[0336] Method 2: The power of the second signal transmitted may be the sum of the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device, the product of the power loss parameter of the first device, the power amplification parameter of the first device, and the first set value, that is, P2 = (Pr + offset) × Pa + b. Alternatively, the power of the second signal transmitted may be the product of the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device, the power loss parameter of the first device, and the power amplification parameter of the first device, that is, P2 = (Pr + offset) × Pa.

[0337] When the first device belongs to the aforementioned second category of devices, the first device may determine the power for transmitting the second signal based on method 3 .

[0338] In this scenario, the power amplification parameter of the first device may be used to indicate the extent to which the first device can amplify power (which may also be replaced by signal strength in this method).

[0339] The method for determining other relevant parameters described in the above method can refer to the corresponding description in the above embodiment 1 and will not be repeated in this embodiment.

[0340] The following describes in detail a method in which the first device determines the target transmission power of the second signal based on the first target power value.

[0341] In this embodiment, the target transmission power of the second signal is related to the first target power value, the transmission power of the first signal, and the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device. Optionally, the target transmission power of the second signal is also related to a set power value. The set power value is used to indicate the upper limit of the power used by the first device for backscatter transmission. For example, the set power value can be expressed as Pmax.

[0342] The transmission power of the first signal is the power used by the second device to transmit the first signal. In this embodiment, the first device can obtain the transmission power of the first signal indicated by the second signaling by receiving the second signaling sent by the second device. The first device can also obtain the transmission power of the first signal through pre-definition.

[0343] In this embodiment, the first device may determine a candidate target transmission power value for the second signal based on three parameters: the transmission power of the first signal, the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device, and the first target power value. The candidate target transmission power value indicates the power actually required by the first device to transmit the second signal. The actual required power may also be understood as the theoretically required power.

[0344] In this embodiment, the candidate target transmission power value of the second signal can be the sum of the difference between the transmission power of the first signal and the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device, and the first target power value, that is, Ptx'=P0+P1-Pr. The difference between the transmission power of the first signal and the signal strength of the first signal detected by the first device is used to indicate the path loss for transmitting the second signal (that is, the path loss of the second signal on the first path), that is, PL=P1-Pr. And Ptx=P0+PL. Therefore, the first device can first determine PL based on P1 and Pr, and then determine Ptx' based on PL and P0.

[0345] As an optional implementation, after determining the candidate target transmission power value of the second signal, the first device may directly use the candidate target transmission power value as the target transmission power of the second signal, that is, Ptx = Ptx'. As another optional implementation, after determining the candidate target transmission power value of the second signal, the first device may use the minimum value (or smaller value) between the candidate target transmission power value and the set power value as the target transmission power of the second signal, that is, Ptx = min{Ptx', Pmax}, where min is used to indicate the minimum value.

[0346] In this embodiment, the specific manner in which the first device determines whether to transmit the second signal based on the target transmission power of the second signal and the power at which the second signal is transmitted may include at least one of the following manners:

[0347] Mode 1: When the power of transmitting the second signal is greater than or equal to the target transmission power of the second signal, the first device determines to transmit the second signal.

[0348] Mode 2: When the power of transmitting the second signal is less than the target transmission power of the second signal, the first device determines not to transmit the second signal.

[0349] The first device determines whether to transmit the second signal based on the target transmission power of the second signal and the power at which the second signal is transmitted, which can be understood as at least one of the following:

[0350] When the power of transmitting the second signal is greater than or equal to the target transmission power of the second signal, the first device determines to transmit the second signal.

[0351] When the power of transmitting the second signal is less than the target transmission power of the second signal, the first device determines not to transmit the second signal.

[0352] In this embodiment, when the first device determines not to transmit the second signal, energy storage may be performed. Specifically, the first device may store energy according to the first signal.

[0353] In the present application, “the power of transmitting the nth signal” can also be understood as “the power of the nth signal to be transmitted”.

[0354] In the above method, the first device itself can determine the power used for backscatter transmission and the power required for backscatter transmission, and can compare whether the power used for backscatter transmission by itself meets the power requirements required for backscatter transmission, and then determine whether the power provided by itself is sufficient for backscatter transmission. The first device can send the second signal when it determines that the power provided by itself is sufficient for backscatter transmission, and not send the second signal when it determines that the power provided by itself is insufficient for backscatter transmission. Therefore, the first device can ensure that all backscatter transmissions performed can ensure that the receiving end receives the corresponding second signal. Therefore, the above method can ensure the necessity and success rate of backscatter communication, and reduce unnecessary interference in the channel, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0355] Example 5. In one example, based on the method provided in this embodiment, in any possible scenario described in the aforementioned Example 1, P0 is the first target power value, P0 is used to indicate the target power of the backscattered signal detected by the second device, P1 is the power of the excitation signal transmitted by the second device, and Pr is the signal strength of the excitation signal detected by the first device.

[0356] In the first possible scenario described in Example 1 above, the second device may be an access network device, and the first device may be an IoT device. In the second possible scenario described in Example 1 above, the second device may be a terminal device, and the first device may be an IoT device.

[0357] Based on the method provided in this embodiment, the second device can indicate at least one of the power P1 of the transmitted excitation signal and the target power P0 of the received backscattered signal to the first device. The first device can also obtain at least one of the power P1 of the transmitted excitation signal and the target power P0 of the received backscattered signal in a predefined manner.

[0358] In this application, obtaining can also be understood as determining.

[0359] As an optional implementation manner, the first device may determine the power required for backscatter communication, that is, the target transmission power of the second signal Ptx=P1-Pr+P0, based on P1, P0, and Pr.

[0360] As another optional implementation, in order to prevent the power required for backscatter communication determined by the first device from exceeding the power upper limit that the first device can provide, after determining the power required for backscatter communication (i.e., P0+PL=P0+P1-Pr), the first device can select a smaller (or minimum) power between the power required and the power upper limit that the first device can provide as the final power required for backscatter communication. Therefore, the first device can determine the power required for backscatter communication, i.e., the target transmission power of the second signal, Ptx=min{P0+P1-Pr, Pmax}, based on P1, P0, Pr, and Pmax.

[0361] It should be noted that the Ptx described in this example and the P described in Example 2 in the aforementioned embodiment 1 can both be used to represent the power required for the first device to perform backscatter communication. The difference is that: P is indicated by the second device to the first device, and Ptx is calculated by the first device itself.

[0362] In Example 5, when the first device belongs to the aforementioned first category of devices, P2 = Pr + offset; when the first device belongs to the aforementioned second category of devices, P2 = Pr + Pa + offset, or P2 = (Pr + offset) × Pa + b. The power loss parameter is 0 or a negative value (or a negative number). Optionally, when the power loss parameter is a positive value (or a positive number), the "+offset" above can be replaced with "-offset."

[0363] In this embodiment 5, regarding the method for the first device to determine whether to perform backscatter transmission based on P2 and Ptx and the subsequent processing method, reference can be made to the method for the first device to determine whether to perform backscatter transmission based on P2 and P and the subsequent processing method described in the aforementioned embodiment 1, which will not be repeated here.

[0364] Optionally, in this embodiment, before step S701, the following step S704 may be further included:

[0365] S704: The second device sends a first signaling.

[0366] In a possible solution, the first signaling may include a first target power value.

[0367] In another possible solution, the first signaling may include a ratio of the first target power value to the first set power value. For example, the first set power value may be a cell reference signal (CRS) power, etc., which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application. Based on this solution, the first device may determine the first target power value based on the ratio indicated by the first set power and the first signaling.

[0368] In another possible solution, the first signaling may include a power level corresponding to the first target power value. Different power levels may correspond to different power values. Based on this solution, the first device may determine the first target power value based on the power level corresponding to the first set power. Optionally, in this solution, the first target power value may correspond to a first distance range, and the distance over which the second signal is to be transmitted falls within the first distance range.

[0369] Specifically, the power of the excitation signal transmitted by the second device (such as the first signal described in this embodiment) can be graded, that is, the power available when the second device transmits the excitation signal can include multiple different levels of power, and the second device can select one level of power from multiple different levels of power as the power for transmitting the excitation signal. As an optional embodiment, different levels of power can correspond to different distance ranges. When the second device needs to transmit an excitation signal to the first device, it can determine the distance range corresponding to (or belonging to) the first device based on the distance between the second device and the first device, and transmit the excitation signal to the first device according to the power level corresponding to the distance range.

[0370] In one example, in the scenario described in Example 1 above, when the second device indicates the power P1 of the excitation signal to be sent to the first device, it may directly indicate the specific power value, i.e., P1, to the first device; or, it may indicate the ratio of P1 to the set power to the first device; or, it may indicate the level corresponding to P1 to the first device. After the second device indicates the ratio of P1 to the set power to the first device, the first device may determine P1 based on the ratio and the set power. After the second device indicates the level corresponding to P1 to the first device, the first device may determine P1 based on the level and the preconfigured correspondence between different powers and levels.

[0371] In one possible solution, after the second device indicates the first target power value to the first device based on the above solution, when it is determined that the set time has arrived and the second signal has not been detected (it can also be understood that the second signal has not been received within the set time), the second device can transmit a third signal on the first path. Wherein, the third signal is an excitation signal, and the power of the second device transmitting the third signal is greater than the power of transmitting the first signal. That is, after the second device transmits the excitation signal, if the backscattered signal based on the excitation signal is not detected within the set time, the power of the excitation signal can be increased and the excitation signal can be transmitted again according to the increased power. By analogy, the second device can repeatedly transmit the excitation signal multiple times. Optionally, the second device can stop repeatedly transmitting the excitation signal when it is determined that the set condition is met. Exemplarily, the set condition can be that the second device detects a backscattered signal based on the excitation signal, or the second device increases the power of the excitation signal to the available power upper limit (the power upper limit can be, for example, a set value, etc.), or the number of times the second device repeatedly sends the excitation signal reaches a set number, etc., which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0372] Optionally, in the above solution, when the second device increases the power of the transmitted excitation signal, it may increase the power of the transmitted excitation signal by one level. Based on this approach, the power level corresponding to the power of the third signal transmitted by the second device may be different from the power level corresponding to the power of the first signal transmitted by the second device. Specifically, the power level corresponding to the power of the third signal transmitted by the second device may be higher than the power level corresponding to the power of the first signal transmitted by the second device.

[0373] In one example, in the scenario described in Example 1 above, the power available for the second device to transmit the excitation signal may include a first level of power and a second level of power. The first level of power is less than the second level of power. The first level of power may correspond to a first distance range (e.g., the first range shown in FIG4 ), and the second level of power may correspond to a second distance range (e.g., a range outside the first range shown in FIG4 ). When the second device needs to transmit an excitation signal, if it determines that the first device is within the first distance range, the excitation signal may be transmitted at the first level of power. After the second device transmits the excitation signal at the first level of power, if it does not receive the corresponding backscatter signal within the set time, the excitation signal may be transmitted again at the second level of power, thereby providing more energy for the first device to perform backscatter transmission and improving the success rate of the first device's backscatter transmission.

[0374] Optionally, in this embodiment, before step S702, the following step S705 may be further included:

[0375] S705: The second device transmits the first signal.

[0376] In some embodiments of the present application, the second device may transmit the first signal in a unicast, multicast or broadcast manner, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application. Accordingly, the first device may detect the first signal transmitted by the second device.

[0377] In this embodiment, the second device transmitting the first signal may specifically include: the second device transmitting the first signal on the first path. Correspondingly, the first device may detect the first signal on the first path.

[0378] In some embodiments of the present application, the “determining whether to transmit the second signal” in step S703 may be replaced with “determining to transmit the second signal.” Based on this approach, the first device may determine to transmit the second signal according to the aforementioned approach 1.

[0379] In the method provided in this embodiment, by obtaining an excitation signal in the first direction of the same path between the first device and the second device (i.e., the excitation signal transmission direction shown in FIG4 ), when a backscatter signal is sent in the second direction (i.e., the backscatter signal transmission direction shown in FIG4 ), the first device can determine the power required for backscatter transmission, i.e., sending the backscatter signal, based on the relevant data indicated by the second device (i.e., P1 and P0), and then by judging whether the power provided for sending the backscatter signal meets the power requirement for sending the backscatter signal, it can be ensured that as long as the first device sends a backscatter signal, it can be successfully and accurately detected (i.e., received) by the second device. Therefore, the above method can ensure the necessity and success rate of backscatter transmission, and reduce unnecessary interference in the channel, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0380] Example 4

[0381] Based on the same technical concept as that of the third embodiment, this embodiment provides a communication method that can be applied to a scenario in which a receiving end and an exciting end in a backscatter communication system are located at different sites.

[0382] As shown in FIG8 , a communication method provided by this embodiment may include:

[0383] S801: A first device determines a first target power value.

[0384] Optionally, the first device determines the first target power value, which may be: the first device receives first signaling, where the first signaling is used to indicate the first target power value.

[0385] Optionally, the first target power value may also be predefined.

[0386] Regarding the specific implementation of step S801, it can be implemented with reference to the aforementioned step S701 and will not be repeated here.

[0387] S802: The first device detects a first signal.

[0388] In this embodiment, the first signal may be a signal on the second path. The second path may be a communication path between the first device and a third device. In other words, the first signal detected by the first device may be a signal transmitted by the third device. The third device may serve as an excitation terminal in a backscatter communication system. The third device and the second device are different devices.

[0389] It should be noted that the execution order of step S802 and step S801 can be arbitrary. For example, step S801 can be executed earlier than step S802, or executed at the same time as step S802, or executed later than step S802, etc. There is no specific limitation in this embodiment.

[0390] S803: The first device determines whether to transmit a second signal based on the first target power value and the first signal; wherein the second signal is a backscattered signal based on the first signal.

[0391] Determining whether to transmit the second signal can also be understood as determining whether a condition for transmitting the second signal is met. When the first device determines, based on the first target power value and the first signal, that the condition for transmitting the second signal is met, it may determine to transmit the second signal. When the first device determines, based on the first target power value and the first signal, that the condition for transmitting the second signal is not met, it may determine not to transmit the second signal.

[0392] In this embodiment, the second signal is a backscatter signal, or the second signal can also be called a backscatter signal.

[0393] The transmitting of the second signal in this embodiment may specifically include: transmitting the second signal over the second path.

[0394] In this embodiment, the receiving end and the exciting end are located at different sites, and the first signal and the second signal are signals on different paths.

[0395] Illustratively, the method provided in this embodiment can be applied in the scenario described in Example 3 above.

[0396] For the convenience of description, in this embodiment, the first target power value is recorded as P0, the power of the reference signal transmitted by the second device is recorded as P1', the signal strength of the reference signal detected by the first device is recorded as Pr', and the path loss for transmitting the second signal is recorded as PL; the target transmission power of the second signal is recorded as Ptx, the candidate target transmission power value of the second signal is recorded as Ptx', the set power value is recorded as Pmax, the power of the second signal transmitted by the first device is recorded as P2, the power parameter of the first device is recorded as Ps, the power amplification parameter of the first device is recorded as Pa, and the power loss parameter of the first device is recorded as offset.

[0397] In this embodiment, the first device can determine the target transmission power of the second signal based on the first target power value, can determine the power of transmitting the second signal based on the first signal, and then determine whether to transmit the second signal based on the target transmission power of the second signal and the power of transmitting the second signal.

[0398] In this embodiment, the method for the first device to determine the power of transmitting the second signal based on the first signal can refer to the method for the first device to determine the power of transmitting the second signal based on the first signal described in the aforementioned embodiment three, and will not be repeated here.

[0399] The following describes in detail a method in which the first device determines the target transmission power of the second signal based on the first target power value.

[0400] In this embodiment, the target transmission power of the second signal is related to the first target power value and the path loss for transmitting the second signal. The path loss for transmitting the second signal can also be understood as the loss of the second signal on the second path or the path loss of the second path. Optionally, the target transmission power of the second signal is also related to a set power value. The set power value is used to indicate the upper limit of the power used by the first device for backscatter transmission. For example, the set power value can be expressed as Pmax.

[0401] In this embodiment, the first device may determine the path loss for transmitting the second signal by the first device based on the reference signal detected on the second path. Specifically, the second device may transmit the reference signal on the second path and may send second signaling, wherein the second signaling is used to indicate the power of the reference signal transmitted by the second device. After detecting the reference signal on the second path and receiving the second signaling, the first device may determine the path loss of the signal on the second path based on the signal strength of the detected reference signal and the power of the reference signal transmitted by the second device, and use the determined path loss of the signal on the second path as the path loss for transmitting the second signal.

[0402] In this embodiment, the value of the path loss for transmitting the second signal may be the difference between the power of the reference signal transmitted by the second device and the signal strength of the reference signal detected by the first device, that is, PL=P1′−Pr′.

[0403] In this embodiment, the first device may determine a candidate target transmission power value for the second signal based on the first target power value and the path loss for transmitting the second signal. The candidate target transmission power value indicates the power actually required by the first device to transmit the second signal, where the actual required power may also be understood as the theoretically required power.

[0404] In this embodiment, the candidate target transmission power value of the second signal may be the sum of the first target power value and the path loss of the second signal, that is, Ptx=P0+PL.

[0405] As an optional implementation, after determining the candidate target transmission power value of the second signal, the first device may directly use the candidate target transmission power value as the target transmission power of the second signal, that is, Ptx = Ptx'. As another optional implementation, after determining the candidate target transmission power value of the second signal, the first device may use the minimum value (or smaller value) between the candidate target transmission power value and the set power value as the target transmission power of the second signal, that is, Ptx = min{Ptx', Pmax}, where min is used to indicate the minimum value.

[0406] Regarding the specific manner in which the first device determines whether to transmit the second signal based on the target transmission power of the second signal and the power of transmitting the second signal, as well as subsequent processing and other related contents, reference may be made to the method described in the aforementioned embodiment three, which will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0407] Example 6. In one example, based on the method provided in this embodiment, in the scenario described in Example 3 above, the access network device can indicate the target power P0 of the detected backscatter signal to the IoT device, and the IoT device can determine the power Ptx required for backscatter communication based on P0 and the derived path loss PL, and then determine whether to perform backscatter communication based on the power Ptx required for backscatter communication and the power P2 used by the IoT device for backscatter communication.

[0408] Based on a method similar to that in Example 5 above, the IoT device can determine the power required for backscatter communication, that is, the target transmission power of the second signal Ptx=P0+P1'-Pr', or Ptx=min{P0+P1'-Pr', Pmax}.

[0409] In Example 6, when the IoT device belongs to the aforementioned first category of devices, P2 = Pr + offset; when the IoT device belongs to the aforementioned second category of devices, P2 = Pr + Pa + offset, or P2 = (Pr + offset) × Pa + b. The power loss parameter is 0 or a negative value (or a negative number), and b is 0 or a positive value (or a positive number). Optionally, when the power loss parameter is a positive value (or a positive number), the above "+offset" can be replaced with "-offset".

[0410] In this embodiment 6, regarding the method and subsequent processing method for the IoT device to determine whether to perform backscatter transmission based on P2 and Ptx, reference can be made to the method and subsequent processing method for the IoT device to determine whether to perform backscatter transmission based on P2 and P described in the aforementioned embodiment 1, and will not be repeated here.

[0411] Optionally, in this embodiment, before step S801, the following step S804 may be further included:

[0412] S804: The second device sends a first signaling.

[0413] The specific implementation of step S804 can be implemented with reference to step S704 and will not be repeated in this embodiment.

[0414] Optionally, in this embodiment, before step S802, the following step S805 may be further included:

[0415] S805: The third device transmits a first signal.

[0416] In some embodiments of the present application, the third device may transmit the first signal in a unicast, multicast or broadcast manner, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application. Accordingly, the first device may detect the first signal transmitted by the third device.

[0417] In this embodiment, the third device transmitting the first signal may specifically include: the third device sending the first signal on the first path. Correspondingly, the first device may detect the first signal on the first path.

[0418] In some embodiments of the present application, the “determining whether to transmit the second signal” in step S803 may be replaced with “determining to transmit the second signal.” Based on this approach, the first device may determine to transmit the second signal according to the corresponding method described in the aforementioned embodiment.

[0419] In the method provided in this embodiment, by obtaining an excitation signal from the first path between the first device and the third device (i.e., the first path shown in FIG6 ), when a backscatter signal is sent on the second path between the first device and the second device (i.e., the second path shown in FIG6 ), the first device can determine the power required for backscatter transmission, i.e., sending the backscatter signal, based on the relevant data indicated by the second device (i.e., P0), and then by judging whether the power provided for sending the backscatter signal meets the power requirement for sending the backscatter signal, it can be ensured that as long as the first device sends a backscatter signal, it can be successfully and accurately detected (i.e., received) by the second device. Therefore, the above method can ensure the necessity and success rate of backscatter transmission, and reduce unnecessary interference in the channel, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0420] It should be noted that the method described in the above embodiments is only an example of an execution method applicable to the present application scheme and does not constitute a limitation to the present application scheme. The execution methods in the embodiments of the present application that do not conflict with each other can be used in combination and will not be listed one by one in the embodiments of the present application.

[0421] The above is an introduction to the solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. It is understandable that, in order to implement the above functions, each device may include hardware structures and / or software modules that perform the corresponding functions. Those skilled in the art should easily appreciate that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in a hardware or computer software driven hardware manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0422] In the embodiments of the present application, the functional units of the device can be divided according to the above method examples. For example, each functional unit can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one unit. The above integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional units.

[0423] Based on the above embodiments and the same technical concept, embodiments of the present application further provide a communication device for implementing the functions of the devices provided in the embodiments of the present application. As shown in Figure 9, communication device 900 may include: a processing unit 901 and a transceiver unit 902. The communication device 900 may be the device in any of the above embodiments, or the communication device 900 may be an apparatus applied to the device in any of the above embodiments.

[0424] As an implementation, the communication device 900 may further include a storage unit 903 for storing program codes and data of the communication device 900. The storage unit 903 may be a memory.

[0425] The processing unit 901 can be used to control and manage the actions of the communication device 900. The processing unit 901 can be a processor or controller, for example, a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processing (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processor can also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, and the like.

[0426] The transceiver unit 902 may be an interface circuit of the communication device 900, used to receive signals from other devices. For example, when the communication device 900 is implemented as a chip, the transceiver unit 902 may be an interface circuit of the chip used to send signals to and receive signals from other chips or devices.

[0427] The communication device 900 can be used to implement the functions of the device provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0428] In the first example, when the communication device 900 is used to implement the functions of the first device provided in the embodiment of the present application, the processing unit 901 may be used to determine a first threshold, the transceiver unit 902 may be used to detect a first signal, and the processing unit 901 may be further used to determine whether to transmit a second signal based on the first threshold and the first signal. The second signal is a backscattered signal based on the first signal.

[0429] Optionally, the processing unit 901 determines the first threshold value, which may be: the processing unit 901 receives a first signaling through the transceiver unit 902, where the first signaling is used to indicate the first threshold value.

[0430] Optionally, in this example, the first device may be the first device described in the aforementioned embodiment 1 or embodiment 2.

[0431] In the second example, when the communication device 900 is used to implement the function of the second device provided in an embodiment of the present application, the transceiver unit 902 can be used to send a first signaling, the first signaling is used to indicate a first threshold, the first threshold is used by the first device to determine whether to transmit a second signal, and the second signal is a backscattered signal based on the first signal detected by the first device.

[0432] Optionally, the processing unit 901 may be configured to determine the first threshold.

[0433] Optionally, based on the above method provided in this example, the second device may be the second device described in the aforementioned embodiment 1 or embodiment 2.

[0434] Optionally, the transceiver unit 902 may also be used to transmit the first signal. Based on this method, the second device may be the second device described in the first embodiment.

[0435] In a third example, when the communication device 900 is used to implement the functionality of the first device provided in an embodiment of the present application, the processing unit 901 may be used to determine a first target power value, the transceiver unit 902 may be used to detect a first signal, and the processing unit 901 may be further used to determine whether to transmit a second signal based on the first target power value and the first signal. The second signal is a backscattered signal based on the first signal.

[0436] Optionally, the processing unit 901 determines the first target power value, which may be: the processing unit 901 receives a first signaling through the transceiver unit 902, where the first signaling is used to indicate the first target power value.

[0437] Optionally, in this example, the first device may be the first device described in the aforementioned embodiment three or embodiment four.

[0438] In the fourth example, when the communication device 900 is used to implement the function of the second device provided in the embodiment of the present application, the transceiver unit 902 can be used to send a first signaling, the first signaling includes a first target power value, and the first target power value is used by the first device to determine whether to transmit a second signal, and the second signal is a backscattered signal based on the first signal detected by the first device.

[0439] Optionally, the processing unit 901 may be configured to determine the first target power value.

[0440] Optionally, based on the above method provided in this example, the second device may be the second device described in the aforementioned embodiment three or embodiment four.

[0441] Optionally, the transceiver unit 902 may also be used to transmit the first signal. Based on this method, the second device may be the second device described in the third embodiment.

[0442] In the fifth example, when the communication device 900 is used to implement the function of the third device provided in the embodiment of the present application, the transceiver unit 902 can be used to transmit the first signal. Optionally, the processing unit 901 can be used to generate the first signal.

[0443] Optionally, in this example, the third device may be the third device described in the aforementioned embodiment 2 or embodiment 4.

[0444] In one possible design, the transceiver unit 902 may include a sending unit and a receiving unit, wherein the sending unit can be used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiment, and the receiving unit can be used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiment.

[0445] The above examples illustrate the communication device 900 executing some of the device's operating methods. It is understood that the processing unit 901 may also be used to execute other processing-related steps or operations other than transceiving performed by the device in the above method embodiments, and the transceiver unit 902 may also be used to execute other sending and / or receiving-related steps or operations performed by the device in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0446] It should be understood that the division of functional units in the embodiments of the present application is schematic and is merely a logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. For example, the transceiver unit 902 described above may be split into a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. In addition, the functional modules in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a single processor, or may exist physically separately, or two or more modules may be integrated into a single module. The above-mentioned integrated modules may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules.

[0447] Based on the above embodiments and the same technical concept, the present application further provides a communication device, as shown in FIG10 . This communication device can be a hardware circuit implementation of the communication device shown in FIG5 . This communication device can be adapted to perform the functions of any of the devices in the above method embodiments. For ease of illustration, FIG10 only shows the main components of the communication device.

[0448] As shown in Figure 10, the communication device 1000 may include at least one processor 1002. Optionally, the communication device 1000 may also include a communication interface 1001 and a memory 1003. A processor may also be referred to as a processing unit, a processing board, a processing module, a processing device, etc. The processor 1002 may be configured to execute instructions or programs stored in the memory 1003. When the instructions or programs stored in the memory 1003 are executed, the processor 1002 may be configured to perform the operations performed by the processing unit 901 in the above-described embodiment, and the communication interface 1001 may be configured to perform the operations performed by the transceiver unit 902 in the above-described embodiment.

[0449] The memory 1003 can be used to store program instructions and / or data. The memory 1003 and the processor 1002 can be coupled or separated. The coupling in the embodiment of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms, and is used for information exchange between devices, units or modules. The processor 1002 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1003. The processor 1002 may execute program instructions stored in the memory 1003. At least one of the at least one memory may be included in the processor.

[0450] During implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor or by instructions in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of the present application can be embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module can be located in a storage medium mature in the art, such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and completes the steps of the above method in conjunction with its hardware. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0451] Optionally, the processor in the embodiment of the present application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiment can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in the processor or instructions in the form of software. The above processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processing circuit (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component.

[0452] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0453] Communication interface 1001 is used to communicate with other devices via a transmission medium, thereby enabling the devices in communication device 1000 to communicate with other devices. In embodiments of the present application, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface. In embodiments of the present application, when the communication interface is a transceiver, the transceiver may include an independent receiver or an independent transmitter; it may also be a transceiver with integrated transceiver functions, or an interface circuit. A transceiver may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, or transceiver device. A receiver may also be referred to as a receiver, a receiving module, or a receiving circuit. A transmitter may also be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitter, a transmitting module, or a transmitting circuit. A processor may control the transceiver to receive or transmit signals. When the transceiver includes a receiver and a transmitter, the processor may control the receiver to perform the receiving operation described in the above method embodiments, and the processor may control the transmitter to perform the transmitting operation described in the above method embodiments.

[0454] Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include a communication line 1004. The communication interface 1001, the processor 1002, and the memory 1003 may be interconnected via the communication line 1004; the communication line 1004 may be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus. The communication line 1004 may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and the like. For ease of illustration, FIG10 shows only one thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0455] The communication device 1000 can be a device or apparatus with a chip, or a device or apparatus with an integrated circuit, or a chip or chip system in the terminal device or communication device shown above. This application does not make any specific limitations, as long as the communication device 1000 can be used to perform the operations performed by the device in the above method embodiments.

[0456] Based on the above embodiments and the same technical concept, an embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction runs on a communication device, the communication device executes the method provided in the above embodiments and applied to any device.

[0457] Based on the above embodiments and the same technical concept, an embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed by a communication device, the method provided in the above embodiments and applied to any device is implemented.

[0458] Based on the above embodiments and the same technical concept, an embodiment of the present application also provides a chip system, which includes a processor, which is used to read and execute a software program stored in a memory to implement the method provided in the above embodiments and applied to any device.

[0459] Optionally, the processor may be a processing module, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit integrated in the chip system.

[0460] Optionally, the chip system may further include the memory, which may be coupled to the processor via an interface.

[0461] Optionally, the chip system may further include a transceiver, which may be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. Optionally, the transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter.

[0462] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application can adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application can adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage, optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0463] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the present application. It should be understood that each flow and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the flow chart and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device produce a device for implementing the functions specified in one or more flow charts and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0464] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a product including an instruction device that implements the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0465] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to the first device side, the method includes: receiving a first signaling, where the first signaling is used to indicate a first threshold; detecting a first signal; Determine whether to transmit a second signal based on the first threshold and the first signal; wherein the second signal is a backscattered signal based on the first signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The determining whether to transmit the second signal based on the first threshold and the first signal includes at least one of the following: When the sum of the detected signal strength of the first signal and half of the power parameter of the first device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, determining to transmit the second signal; When the detected signal strength of the first signal is greater than or equal to the first threshold, determining to transmit the second signal; When the sum of the detected signal strength of the first signal and half of the power parameter of the first device is less than the first threshold, determining not to transmit the second signal; When the detected signal strength of the first signal is less than the first threshold, determining not to transmit the second signal; When the sum of the detected signal strength of the first signal, the product of the sum of the detected signal strength of the first signal and the power loss parameter of the first device and the power amplification parameter of the first device, and the first set value is greater than or equal to the first threshold, determining to transmit the second signal; When the detected signal strength of the first signal, the product of the sum of the detected signal strength of the first signal and the power loss parameter of the first device and the power amplification parameter of the first device is greater than or equal to the first threshold, determining to transmit the second signal; When the sum of the detected signal strength of the first signal, the product of the sum of the detected signal strength of the first signal and the power loss parameter of the first device and the power amplification parameter of the first device, and the first set value is less than the first threshold, determining not to transmit the second signal; When the sum of the detected signal strength of the first signal, the product of the sum of the detected signal strength of the first signal and the power loss parameter of the first device and the power amplification parameter of the first device is less than the first threshold, determining not to transmit the second signal; When the path loss for transmitting the second signal is less than or equal to the first threshold, determining to transmit the second signal; When the path loss for transmitting the second signal is greater than the first threshold, it is determined not to transmit the second signal.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first signal is a signal on a first path; and the transmitting the second signal includes: transmitting the second signal over the first path; or The second signal is transmitted over a second path.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first signaling includes: the first threshold, or a first threshold range; The first threshold range is used to determine the first threshold.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The method further comprises: A second signaling is received, where the second signaling is used to indicate a first power loss parameter range, and the first power loss parameter range is used to determine the first threshold.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein The difference between the power loss parameter of the first device and the lower limit of the first power loss parameter range is equal to the difference between the first threshold and the lower limit of the first threshold range; and / or The difference between the upper limit value of the first power loss parameter range and the power loss parameter of the first device is equal to the difference between the upper limit value of the first threshold range and the first threshold.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: Before receiving the first signaling, the method further includes: A third signaling is sent, where the third signaling is used to indicate a power loss parameter of the first device.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The method further comprises: When it is determined not to transmit the second signal, energy storage is performed.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The first signal is an excitation signal.

10. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to the second device side, the method includes: A first signaling is sent, where the first signaling is used to indicate a first threshold, where the first threshold is used by the first device to determine whether to transmit a second signal, where the second signal is a backscattered signal based on the first signal detected by the first device.

11. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to the first device side, the method includes: receiving first signaling, where the first signaling is used to indicate a first target power value; detecting a first signal; Determine whether to transmit a second signal based on the first target power value and the first signal; wherein the second signal is a backscattered signal based on the first signal.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The determining whether to transmit the second signal based on the first target power value and the first signal includes: determining a target transmission power of the second signal based on the first target power value; determining, based on the first signal, a power for transmitting the second signal; Whether to transmit the second signal is determined based on the target transmission power of the second signal and the power of transmitting the second signal.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The determining whether to transmit the second signal based on the target transmission power of the second signal and the power at which the second signal is transmitted includes: When the power of transmitting the second signal is greater than or equal to the target transmission power of the second signal, determining to transmit the second signal; and / or When the power of transmitting the second signal is less than the target transmission power of the second signal, it is determined not to transmit the second signal.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein: The first signal is a signal on a first path; and the transmitting the second signal includes: transmitting the second signal over the first path; or The second signal is transmitted over a second path.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein: The determining, based on the first target power value, a target transmission power of the second signal includes: determining a path loss for transmitting the second signal; determining a candidate target transmission power value of the second signal based on the first target power and the path loss for transmitting the second signal; The candidate target transmission power value of the second signal is used as the target transmission power of the second signal; or the minimum value between the candidate target transmission power value of the second signal and the set power value is used as the target transmission power of the second signal.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein The determining a path loss for transmitting the second signal includes: A path loss for transmitting the second signal is determined based on the transmission power of the first signal and the detected signal strength of the first signal.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein Before determining the path loss for transmitting the second signal, the method further includes: Second signaling is received, where the second signaling is used to indicate the transmission power of the first signal.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein: The determining, based on the first signal, the power for transmitting the second signal includes: The power for transmitting the second signal is determined based on the detected signal strength of the first signal and a power parameter of the first device.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein The determining, based on the detected signal strength of the first signal and the power parameter of the first device, the power for transmitting the second signal includes: using the sum of the detected signal strength of the first signal and the power parameter of the first device as the power for transmitting the second signal; or using the product of the sum of the detected signal strength of the first signal and the power loss parameter of the first device and the power amplification parameter of the first device as the power for transmitting the second signal; or The sum of the product of the sum of the detected signal strength of the first signal and the power loss parameter of the first device, the power amplification parameter of the first device, and a first set value is used as the power for transmitting the second signal.

20. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 19, wherein: The first signaling includes any one of the following: the first target power value; a ratio of the first target power value to the first set power value; The first target power value corresponds to a power level; wherein different power levels correspond to different power values.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein The method further comprises: When the first signaling includes the ratio, determining the first target power value based on the ratio and the first set power value; When the first signaling includes the power level, the first target power value is determined based on the power level.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein: The first target power value corresponds to a first distance range, and the distance over which the second signal is to be transmitted belongs to the first distance range.

23. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 22, wherein: The method further comprises: When it is determined not to transmit the second signal, energy storage is performed.

24. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 23, wherein: The first signal is an excitation signal.

25. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to the second device side, the method includes: A first signaling is sent, where the first signaling includes a first target power value, where the first target power value is used by the first device to determine whether to transmit a second signal, where the second signal is a backscattered signal based on the first signal detected by the first device.

26. A communication device, characterized in that: include: at least one processor; The at least one processor is configured to cause the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or the method according to claim 10, or the method according to any one of claims 11 to 24, or the method according to claim 25.

27. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A module or unit for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or a module or unit for performing the method according to claim 10, or a module or unit for performing the method according to any one of claims 11 to 24, or a module or unit for performing the method according to claim 25.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed on the communication device, the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or the method according to claim 10, or the method according to any one of claims 11 to 24, or the method according to claim 25.

29. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product includes a computer program or instructions, which, when executed on a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or the method according to claim 10, or the method according to any one of claims 11 to 24, or the method according to claim 25.

Images